Claims of a plot to kill WCape ANC leader Marius Fransman has sparked fear and concern among the party’s national leaders.
|||Cape Town - Claims of a plot to kill Western Cape ANC chairman Marius Fransman have sparked fear and concern among the party’s national leaders.
“We are very worried,” said ANC national spokesman Keith Khoza on Monday. “Comrade Fransman must report this matter to the police. They are best placed to investigate allegations of this nature.”
The ANC’s national office would support the provincial leadership “where necessary”.
Fransman, who escaped injury when he was attacked by an angry mob following a meeting in Oudtshoorn last week, was back in the Klein Karoo town on Monday to meet councillors and the party’s regional leadership. He confirmed reports that he had received an affidavit from a party member in Oudtshoorn, who claimed a “sub-regional ANC leader” was inciting violence and had ordered a hit on him.
“We will go to the police today (Monday) and open a criminal case for these allegations to be investigated fully,” Fransman said on Monday.
“In the meeting with the regional leaders today, I’ve also put my foot down and have told them that we won’t tolerate hooliganism.”
Asked who was behind the alleged plot and whether he feared for his life, Fransman said: “I don’t want to comment on that, the police will investigate. I’m leaving this matter in their hands now.”
He said the ANC’s prosecution unit would investigate last Tuesday’s attack on him and other senior members at a municipal building in Oudtshoorn.
Fransman who is also the Deputy Minister of International Relations, was rescued from the mob by his bodyguard, following a meeting to replace the town’s mayor, Gordon April.
April, who faces charges of theft, intimidation and illegal use of a municipal vehicle, was told he was to be demoted pending the outcome of the court case and that a new mayor would be appointed.
As Fransman and ANC regional leaders were leaving the building they were approached by a crowd, and a tussle broke out.
April and co-accused Raymond Wagenaar, head of the Oudtshoorn municipality’s stormwater department, made their first court appearance on December 23.
The charges of theft and use of a municipal vehicle were laid by the chairman of the regional branch of AfriForum, George Kersop.
The intimidation charge was laid by co-workers.
April is accused of stealing sand and stone allegedly delivered to his home in Dysselsdorp by municipal workers in a work vehicle.
Wagenaar allegedly gave the instruction for the delivery. Municipal workers who witnessed the incident claim they were later intimidated by the pair.
On Monday, Fransman said April accepted the ANC’s decision to nominate a new mayor.
“The next council meeting will be at the end of the month, where councillors have been given instructions who to vote for as the new mayor.”
ANC provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile said the ANC was investigating the attack and the alleged murder plot “as a matter of urgency”.
“We want to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible... This is serious and will not be tolerated.”
DA provincial leader Ivan Meyer said reports of the alleged plot were “very unfortunate”.
“I wouldn’t like to see blood flowing in this province like it did in KwaZulu Natal, where ANC leaders were targeted in hits as a result of factionalism. I appeal to Mr Fransman to report this matter to the police.”
clayton.barnes@inl.co.za
Cape Argus