ANC man appears in court

African National Congress (ANC) Waterberg Regional Secretary Noko (Tolly) Ma­shamaite is due to appear in court again on 7 November after being granted bail of
R1 000 in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court last Thursday following his earlier arrest in a case of rape and bribery.
He was due to appear again on 7 November when he would be expected to plea, said Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe. The accused had been arrested on Tuesday evening in connection with a matter instituted by a 33-year-old complainant in April this year, Ngoepe told Polokwane Observer. According to Ngoepe the matter was the result of an alleged incident at a Mokopane hotel.
Last Wednesday afternoon when approach­ed for comment, ANC Limpopo Spokesperson Aluwani Netsianda indicated it was premature for them to do so as they awaited full facts around the issue to offer informed comment.
The following afternoon ANC Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi said in a statement the organisation has noted Mashamaite’s arrest on allegations of rape and that the ANC in the province remained resolute in the fight against any form of women abuse, including sexual abuse and rape. “The ANC once more re-affirms its confidence in our judicial system and encourages speedy resolution on the matter in the interest of justice.
“Whilst the ANC holds the principle of innocence until proven otherwise, the PEC will receive a report from the (Regional Executive Committee) REC on the way forward in line with the ANC Conference resolution,” he concluded.
In a statement on behalf of the ANC Youth League (Ancyl) in the province, Ancyl Provincial Secretary Che Selane noted Mashamaite’s arrest on the allegation of rape. “We remain resolute in the fight against any form of women abuse including rape and sexual abuses. We take this opportune moment to reaffirm our confidence in our judicial systems and believe that justice will prevail in this regard. Our support to Comrade Tolly is unconditional and we believe in the rules of natural justice as our cardinal pillar of the constitutional jurisprudence and that of innocent until proven guilty and equality before the law. The Ancyl believes that the Regional Secretary will in these trying times of his life, but also of the ANC, live up to the ANC congress resolutions and do the honourable thing.
“The Ancyl also calls on ANC members in Waterberg Region to avoid dragging the ANC’s name into the mud further by insulting ANC leaders or the complainant, including the Police Officers when they go to court in support of the Regional Secretary.”

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com