Impatient with the tardiness of the local police and the legal system, Samwu is now insisting the executive mayor of Matjhabeng be arrested following the assault charge against him, laid by one of his body guards.
On Friday Thanduxolo Khalipha was charged with common assault after he had allegedly physically and verbally abused one of his body guards, who was attempting to protect him from an angry crowd.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) is deeply concerned about the recent developments surrounding the assault case involving Khalipha.
On Wednesday, 28 February, a Samwu member, who is an employee of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and tasked with protecting Khalipha, was allegedly assaulted multiple times by the mayor.
The assault is said to have happened in front of other colleagues after a mayoral imbizo in Kutlwanong.
The body guard immediately opened a case at the Welkom Police Station. The case number is 702/02/24.
“Despite the assault case being opened against Khalipha, he has neither been charged nor arrested for violating the dignity of an employee. Capt. Stephen Thakeng of the South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the registration of a case of common assault against Khalipha on 28 February,” said Papikie Mohale, national media officer of Samwu.
He said that the organisation was troubled by the slow progress in handling this matter.
“The lack of action by the SAPS in charging and arresting Khalipha reinforces his self-proclamation of being powerful and untouchable. This action further vindicates the union’s call for Khalipha to be removed as the mayor, as he has shown to be a bully and harasser of employees.
“As a union, we refuse to stand by idly while the justice system is manipulated for the benefit of one individual at the expense of the victim,” said Mohale.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa SAPS, says that he can confirm that a case of Common Assault has been registered against the executive Mayor of Matjhabeng and has been transferred to Capt. Paseka Mojaki of Provincial Investigation Unit. “This particular component specializes with the investigations of high profile cases within Free State. Nobody has been arrested yet as the investigation continues. Further details will be communicated as the investigation unfolds,” says Thakeng.
