By BAKANG MOKOTO

An assault and crimen injuria case against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) former provincial Chief Whip and the Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Bunga Ntshangane will resume at the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court today.

Ntshangane allegedly assaulted the EFF junior female staffer, Maggie Klaas onNovember 9 last year.

The two had a heated exchange at the party’s offices at the North West Provincial Legislature.

Klaas was the first state witness to be cross-examined, telling the court that she was humiliated by the accused in front of her colleagues.

“I felt humiliated after Ntshangane said he will cut-off my clitoris. He also grabbed me by my neck and assaulted me. I suffered injuries on my shoulder and knee after he pinned me to the ground.

“No post-traumatic counselling has been offered to me and I continue to work in the same hostile environment. I was charged for misconduct for speaking-out publicly and the perpetrator has not been charged or placed under provisional suspension. I was also charged for not greeting my aggressor,” she said.

Klaas said the misconduct charge was subsequently withdrawn against her.

She said she has received many threats from the EFF management too.

“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 Management threatening me. They said if I do not withdraw an assault case against Ntshagane, they will keep on suspending me.

It is also alleged that Ntshangane offered Klaas R4 000 to withdraw the case.

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in Bokone Bophirima said the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) must ‘walk the talk’ especially when it comes to Gender-based Violence (GBV) matters.

ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Tlhomelang said: “We urge EFF to deal with its own trash and ensure that the matter is dealt with fairly. We also urge the judiciary to speed up the process.

“We will continue to show support to Klaas, despite our political differences. Gender-based Violence is real and we call on all women who are abused to speak-out,” Tlhomelang said.

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