The ANC Women’s League Provincial Task Team (ANCWL PTT) in the North West has come out strongly in defence of the suspended Mayor of Tswaing Local Municipality in Delareyville, Nora Mahlangu.
She was placed on a “one month” special leave by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee after her explicit video was leaked on social media last week.
In the video that was widely shared on various social media platforms, Mahlangu can be seen removing her bra and later performing some sexual acts.
Speaking on YouFM News Hour, the ANCWL PTT Convener Wendy Matsemela accused the ANC Provincial Secretary Louis Diremelo of victimizing Mahlangu by placing her on special leave.
“The first person who we believe is victimizing Mme Mahlangu is Louis Diremelo, who wrote the letter of suspension to her after a blatant violation of her privacy and dignity, which constitutes a serious infringement on her rights.
We saw that letter, and the manner in which it is addressed to her that she (Mahlangu) engaged in an immoral and indecent activities that ended up on social media platforms, as if its Mme Nora herself who shared that video.
As the Women’s League in the North West we say it is disrespectful and not only that, but it also undermines the victim, it is arrogant, ridicules the victim and patriarchal tendencies,” said an irritated Matsemela.
She alleges that Diremelo acted on his own accord, without the instruction of the PEC that she is part of and the Provincial Working Committee.
“This matter was never brought before any of the two committees hence we say, it is Diremelo who acted alone on this matter, and it is a decision that we as women in the province, view it as victimization of women.
Many women including Matlakala Nondzaba, former Bojanala Platinum District Municipality Mayor, Gugulethu Mtshali, former Moses Kotane local Municipality council speaker and others were victimised and nothing was done,” remarked Matsemela.
She said they have requested a meeting with the PEC, to express its dissatisfaction on how women issues are being addressed, when compared to their male counterparts in the province.
Matsemela urged the ANC to treat this matter the same way as other similar cases were addressed before, adding that Mahlangu must be reinstated with immediate effect.
