DA calls for suspension of ANC councillor accused of conspiracy to murder
The DA has called on the Tshwane metro to suspend a Mabopane ward councillor who was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder.
The DA has called for the suspension of Mabopane ward councillor Joel Sindane who has been arrested on charge of conspiracy to murder 11 of his ANC colleagues.
DA PR councillor in the Tshwane metro, Michael Shackleton said the refusal by the ANC to suspend Sindane created the impression his behaviour was acceptable in its ranks.
“It is standard practice in most businesses, political parties and political administrations the world over, to suspend someone who is facing an investigation into their conduct. Conspiracy to commit murder is indeed a major crime and these are rightfully allegations that must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
Shackleton said the mayor Kgosientso Ramakgopa, had in the past defended the ANC’s candidate selection process as “robust” and that “unity” was created in the end.
Sindane was released last Thursday, on R3000 bail after he had been arrested by Pretoria North police at his Mabopane home on 15 March.
He first appeared in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on 17 March where he was denied bail. He will appear in court again on 3 May.
On 25 March, Rekord reported that Sindane was linked to a list of ANC members to be killed Mabopane.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Rebecca Phathlane confirmed: “He was arrested at his home in Mabopane. He is facing a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.”
At the time, ANC Tshwane region spokesperson, Tebogo Joala confirmed it was aware of the case but had not taken a decision to suspend Sindane, and that he continued to receive his salary.
“We are still waiting for information of what exactly his charges are. We will only be able to comment once we know exactly what is happening,” he said.
Joaga refused to comment on the alleged ANC hit list in Mabopane, saying the party was conducting its own investigation.
Shackleton said the DA condemned the violence which appears to characterise the ANC’s selection process. “The DA is the party for the rule of law and the Constitution and violence as a mechanism to resolve arbitrary disputes is simply unacceptable under our democratic order,” he said.
The hitlist, which included the name of a Tshwane metro member of the mayoral committee, started circulating towards the end of last year.
According to police, Sindane is the second suspect to be arrested in connection with the list.
The first suspect was arrested on 3 November last year, and charged with conspiracy and incitement to commit a serious crime.
“There are two issues involved here. A legal issue and a moral issue. We have to allow the legal process to take its course before commenting further on the issue,” Joala said.
The ANC Tshwane caucus was expected to deliberate on Sindane’s future this week.
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