By Rosina Shiko
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Lephalale, Limpopo, says a female ward councillor who has been accused of assaulting a woman at a tavern has been suspended from party activities.
Archiebold Ntwampe, the ANCYL Lephalale Sub-Region coordinator, told Inside Politics that the ANC would also pursue disciplinary action against Ward 7 councillor Linda Moshubje following confirmation that she had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault.
“This is not the first time an incident like this has happened,” Ntwampe said, referring to Moshubje’s alleged behaviour.
“We have suspended her from participating in ANCYL/ANC activities,” he said.
He said Moshubje is on the party’s proportional representation (PR) list for the local government elections.
The allegations stem from an incident at a tavern in Shongoane Village on 17 October, when the councillor and her two sisters allegedly assaulted a woman identified as Karabo.
Karabo reportedly required hospital treatment following the incident.
The incident came to public attention through a Facebook post shared by community activist Wilhemina Seemole. Karabo subsequently gave her account during a livestream hosted by the activist.
Karabo said she opened a criminal case against the three women, who were arrested on 19 October and later released on bail of R1,000 each.
Moshubje told Inside Politics that a case had been opened against her and that she had been arrested and released on bail. She declined to discuss the matter further, saying it was before the court.
During the livestream, Karabo also claimed that her phone had been damaged in the attack, leaving her without a means of direct communication.
The case is scheduled to be heard in the Witpoort Magistrate’s Court in November.
Inside Politics made several unsuccessful attempts to obtain direct comment from Karabo through her mother and Seemole before publication.
Youth League promises disciplinary action
Ntwampe said the Youth League had initially been unaware of the councillor’s arrest and was awaiting information from the police before pursuing internal disciplinary proceedings.
“We were not aware that she was arrested, all we knew was that the police had been looking for her and she could not be found. If she confirms that she was arrested, we will start with the process to charge her in the ANC.”
Asked whether the organisation would recommend suspension or expulsion if the councillor were found guilty, Ntwampe said: “If she’s guilty she must step aside from our organisation because we cannot tolerate bullies.”
His comments follow a statement issued by the ANCYL Lephalale Sub-Region distancing itself from the councillor’s alleged conduct and condemning violence and gender-based violence.
The statement said the organisation “distances itself from the alleged conduct of the Ward 7 Councillor and strongly condemns any form of violence, intimidation, gender-based violence (GBV), or behaviour that brings the name of the African National Congress into disrepute”.
“We stand in support of justice being served in the matter involving Karabo and wish her a speedy and full recovery.”
The league referred to Rule 25 of the ANC Constitution, which provides for disciplinary action against members accused of serious misconduct, including physical assault, violence and gender-based violence.
Such misconduct can result in suspension or expulsion following disciplinary proceedings.
“The ANCYL Lephalale Sub-Region will not allow individuals to use the name of the organisation in a manner that brings it into disrepute,” the statement said.
It also urged ANC members and leaders to uphold the rule of law and protect the dignity and safety of communities, particularly women and young people.
New ANCYL leadership takes a tougher stance
Ntwampe said the Youth League’s newly elected leadership intended to take a firmer position against misconduct by public representatives, regardless of their political standing.
“We have been elected for two weeks now. There were others leading the ANCYL before. The new leadership is taking power, showing direction of what the organisation is about.”
He said political office should not shield individuals from accountability.
“We don’t want someone taking advantage because she is a councillor, so she undermines the law and the citizens.”
Ntwampe also said the league’s position would remain unchanged even when the complainant belonged to another political party.
“Regardless that the person undermined is a member of another political party, we are not going to tolerate that. Even if it was a mayor, we were going to release a statement and the ANC will charge her.”
The Youth League had also contacted Karabo, he said.
“We reached out and on Friday we are visiting the victim at her homestead to check if she needs medical check-ups or any support that we can offer.”
Police had not responded to Inside Politics’ questions at the time of publication.
INSIDE POLITICS
