The ANC in the Northern Cape has backtracked on a decision to employ a rape accused, Douglas Mthukwane, who is a researcher for the party.
THE ANC in the Northern Cape has backtracked on a decision to employ a rape accused, Douglas Mthukwane, who is a researcher for the party.
Staff employed at the Northern Cape provincial legislature indicated that Mthukwane has been regularly seen at the premises since April 1 and that they are concerned for their safety.
Mthukwane is currently standing trial in the Northern Cape High Court for the rape of two women as well as a 14-year-old girl. The charges date back to 2016.
The National Prosecuting Authority stated that Mthukwane was expected to reappear in the Northern Cape High Court on June 5.
ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga explained that the party was not aware of any charges against Mthukwane.
Ngxanga stated that rape was a “very serious” charge that should have been disclosed when Mthukwane was appointed.
“The position of the ANC is an organisation of integrity. The ANC can’t dither on a matter as serious as rape.”
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Ngxanga indicated that the contract would be immediately terminated in light of the seriousness of the charges.
“Rape is a very serious offence. Any ANC member accused of rape will have to relinquish their position and clear themselves in a competent court of law.
“The ANC can’t get itself entangled in matters of such nature.”
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The Northern Cape provincial legislature referred media enquiries to the ANC office at the legislature.
ANC caucus manager Xhanti Teki indicated that Mthukwane was not employed by the office of the chief whip.
“He is a freelance journalist whose writing and research services have been utilised by the office as and when they were needed. He is remunerated for services rendered, a process which does not require vetting,” said Teki.
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He added that the office of the chief whip did not enter into a contract with Mthukwane.
“Mthukwane is not the only person whose writing and research services have been utilised by the office of the chief whip.”
Teki stated that the senior researcher position was still vacant.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) fired Mthukwane in 2020 after he was appointed as their national spokesperson, after learning about the multiple rape allegations against him after conducting a background and criminal record check following his appointment in 2019.
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Mthukwane has meanwhile said there were no new charges against him and that he was only providing a service to his clients.
He was aggrieved that the DFA was “phoning all his clients”.
