Picture: (EFF Provincial Chief Whip, Bunga Ntsangane)

By REGINALD KANYANE

An assault case against Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Provincial Chief Whip and North West Provincial Legislature Member of Parliament (MPL), Bunga Ntshangane is ready to go on trial. Ntshangane briefly appeared at Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng after he allegedly assaulted his EFF junior staff, Maggie Klaas.

The incident took place during the 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children Abuse in November 2017 at North West Provincial Legislature’s EFF offices in Mahikeng.

Klaas, who works as administrator said Ntshangane allegedly assaulted her after a commotion ensued between them. She said she has received many threats from the EFF management.

“I am grateful that the case will be going on trial on the 15 August 2018. I would like to see justice prevails and proper decisions being taken against Ntshangane.

“I am now frustrated and I do not feel safe anymore. Every single day I get calls from EFF Human Resources Manager threatening me. She said if I do not withdraw an assault case against Ntshagane, they will keep on suspending me,” she said.

Klaas added: “The organization is tedious on the matter and it is so painful that no disciplinary actions were taken against Ntshangane. Instead of giving me unwavering support, I am constantly being harassed by the EFF Provincial Secretary, Papiki Babuile.“

It is alleged that Ntshangane offered Klaas R4000 to withdraw the case, but he refused to comment on the matter.

However, Babuile refuted the matter. He said he has never spoken to Klaas in months.

“That is pure lies because I have never spoken to Maggie in months. I do not know what she is talking about. I do not even know what is happening with Ntshangane’s case and I am not interested. She must show you our conversations with her.”

EFF Provincial leader and EFF MPL, Betty Diale, who is a lawyer by profession, also refuted allegations leveled against her. It was alleged that Diale was reluctant to come to court as a witness in the matter.

“I am one of the first witnesses to make statement to the police as indication of interest to be a witness in this matter. The matter was postponed several times at the request of the defence of course. Being experienced in court myself, I know when the witness is required in court.

“So, I come to court only when the matter is ready for trial. Today, the matter was ready for trial and previously when the matter was almost ready, I have indicated that I am starting with the sitting at the legislature and as soon as is done, I will come to the court,” she said.

Diale said they could not hauled Ntshangane to the EFF Provincial Disciplinary Hearing (DC) as he the Provincial Chairperson of the DC. Diale said the matter has now being referred to the National Disciplinary Committee.

“I harbour no intentions at all to sabotage the matter and it is my responsibility to ensure that I push women issues forward particularly, me being the party leader in the province as the chairperson and also a woman.

“We are saying that anyone who has found guilty to have committed such offences will indeed to be asked to be isolated and let the EFF processes take place,” Diale said.

The matter was postponed until 15 August 2018 for trial.

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