Affair councillor put on special leave
The Tshwane Region ANC has put Councillor Conference Ntuli on special leave while allegations he had a love affair with a minor are investigated.
Tshwane councillor Conference Ntuli has been put on special leave by the ANC Tshwane region.
Ntuli is accused of having a romantic affair with a teenage girl who lives in the same street as him in Atteridgeville. She was apparently a minor when their relationship began.
The councillor and pupil from Hoërskool Voortrekkerhoogte became the talk of the town when photos of the two, in a compromising position, went viral on social media.
Ntuli is the ANC councillor for ward 63 in Atteridgeville.
ANC Tshwane region spokesperson Teboho Joala said the party had taken notice of the allegations made against the councillor and would act on them.
“The ANC has decided to advise the chief whip of council to put Councillor Ntuli on special leave while the matter is being investigated,” Joala said.
He said the decision to have Ntuli put on special leave was with full understanding that he had yet to be charged by the police or any other law enforcement agency for the allegations against him.
“Ntuli has not been found guilty by a competent court of law,” said Joala.
“The ANC will continue to engage with the family of the young lady and also continue to extend all possible interventions and assistance they may require. The findings of investigation will be reviewed and the outcomes made public.”
Atteridgeville police station spokesperson Captain Thomas Mufamadi confirmed that a statutory rape docket had been opened against the councillor.
He however could not give further details except that the investigation was underway.
DA Tshwane councillor Michael Shackleton said his party was deeply concerned by what unfolded in the Municipal Rules and Ethics Oversight Committee on 18 September 2015.
The meeting was to discuss the conduct of Ntuli.
He said his party had denied a DA request for a probe into Ntuli’s conduct to determine if he could be referred for a disciplinary hearing under the code of conduct for councillors.
Shackleton said Ntuli had become famous in Tshwane for all the wrong reasons.
“He is alleged to have had an affair with a 15 year old girl, despite being in his 50s. If the allegations are proven, Ntuli will be convicted of statutory rape.”
He said there was no other body in the municipality that dealt with the conduct of councillors, and that the ANC continued to protect its members from accountability without regard for what was moral and honourable.
Two weeks ago, Ntuli apologised for his two-year love-affair with the girl.
Mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale was quoted as saying Ntuli had apologised for the embarrassment his action had caused his family, his party and the Tshwane metro.
He also expressed regret for the pressure and emotional strain the issue [media coverage] had exposed the minor to.
Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa said he was disturbed by the conduct of Ntuli.
Manale said the metro remained committed to holding employees to a high moral standard and principles.
“Councillors are elected to a position of trust…which should entail deep emotional dedication to their positions, and leadership by example,” he said.
“This includes living up to the highest moral [standard] and acceptable community values.”
Also read:
Councillor sorry for affair with minor
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