Former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has been fired from the GOOD Party after he was found guilty of sexual misconduct by the party’s national management committee.
PETER de Villiers has been fired from the GOOD Party after he was found guilty of sexual misconduct by the party’s national management committee (NMC).
The 66-year-old former Springbok coach was suspended after he allegedly groped a fellow party member in January.
He was suspended after a complaint was lodged with the police.
According to the party, this alleged incident happened when he dropped the complainant off at home following an event.
The complainant reported him to GOOD’s national structure.
GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron confirmed De Villiers’ suspension.
“GOOD’s NMC has terminated Peter de Villiers’ membership in the party and removed him as a member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature,” he said.
“The NMC decision was based on the outcome of a party disciplinary process that found De Villiers guilty of breaching the GOOD Constitution and Code of Conduct.
“On January 31, 2024, GOOD received a formal complaint of sexual misconduct against De Villiers. The nature of the allegations warranted his immediate suspension pending an investigation and formal disciplinary hearing.
“GOOD is a women-led party with a Constitution containing a set of values to which all members subscribe and account, irrespective of their positions.”
At the disciplinary hearing, he said, GOOD appointed an independent chairperson, advocate Lionel Esau, to preside, and an independent initiator – fulfilling the prosecutorial function – advocate Peter Cyster.
Herron said De Villiers was represented by David Van der Merwe, of attorneys Leon Frank & Partners, and advocate Mias Schreuder SC.
The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that De Villiers appeared in the Malmesbury Regional Court last week on two counts of attempted sexual assault and criminal injuries. His case was postponed to May 15.
GOOD deputy secretary-general Suzette Little has replaced De Villiers in the legislature.
De Villiers could not be reached for comment.
