DA Kannaland calls on ANC to announce decision on ties with rape convicted mayor

Kannaland mayor Jeffrey Donson was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault while in office in 2008. Picture: Icosa/Facebook

Kannaland mayor Jeffrey Donson was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault while in office in 2008. Picture: Icosa/Facebook

Published Nov 30, 2021

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Cape Town - The DA constituency head for Kannaland Gillion Bosman has expressed concern at the ANC in the Western Cape’s failure to announce its decision on the party’s future with the municipality amid the scandal linked to re-elected mayor Jeffrey Donson.

The opposition said that the longer the ANC upholds its coalition agreement with the Independent Civic Organisation of SA (Icosa), the further Kannaland will be pushed into disarray.

Following public outrage linked to Donson’s 2008 statutory rape conviction, the provincial ANC indicated that talks were under way to determine the way forward.

On Monday, party spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni told Independent Media that the working committee was consulting on the day and a decision would be announced in due course.

Last week Donson announced that he will not be vacating his seat despite calls for him to step down.

“Our question to the ANC is simple: will you go ahead with this unethical marriage of immorality and corruption for the next five years?” said Bosman.

“This question could not come at a more pertinent time. On November 25, the country began its international campaign of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV),” he added.

Bosman also took a jab at Kannaland’s deputy mayor Werner Meshoa who claimed a high seat despite his fraud conviction.

“During a time in which we are supposed to be highlighting the impact of such atrocious crimes which disproportionately affect women, the ANC’s continued support of Jeffrey Donson and Werner Meshoa can only be described as morally reprehensible. The party’s sole priority is to maintain power at all costs,” Bosman said.

“As the DA in the Western Cape, we call on the ANC and all political parties to act on principle and show that they actually do care for the wellbeing of Kannaland.

“In a society plagued with GBV, individuals such as the mayor and deputy mayor should not be anywhere near positions of authority and influence,” Bosman added.

tarryn-leigh.solomons@inl.co.za

Political Bureau