After DA Councillor Dave Dewes appeared in court on a charge of alleged intimidation (according to Dewes himself) that took place on 18 July, the ANC lashed back by contradicting Dewes’ version.
The Record was invited by the Ward 70 branch of the ANC to hear their version.
According to Rupert September, Deputy Chairperson, the ANC never politicised the issue but accused Dewes of doing so. He explained that over and above politics the ANC also is involved in civic matters and helps people regardless of colour or political affiliation. (The complainant in Dewes’ case is not a member of the ANC.)
September, Secretary Vusi Thomas’ and Branch Executive Committee (BEC) member Thabo Tlhakoane’s biggest issue is with Dewes’ claim that it is a charge of intimidation. September who accompanied the complainant said that a charge of assault and crimen injura was laid. (Dewes allegedly used the ‘K’ word.)
According to September, the SAPS also did not cooperate owing to the fact that Dewes is the councillor.
To prove his claim that the complainant was assaulted September showed the Record the JT88 form, which must be filled out by the doctor who examines the victim before an assault charge can be laid.
According to the JT88 the complainant had “mild swelling on the left side of the face”, “mild swelling on the left side of the back”, and he “complained of neck pain”. The form further states that according to the doctor the “injuries were likely to have been caused by blunt force trauma, although it is difficult to determine the time frame of the injuries”.
Thlokoane said that they got involved purely because it is a human rights issue.
September also gave an alternative version of the events leading up to the incident. According to him Dewes illegally wanted to evict the complainant and his two family members who were renting from Dewes. The ANC has reported Dewes to the Rental Tribunal. (They provided the two eviction letters to prove this allegation. September also said that the complainant was not intoxicated, although this can not be proved.) Apparently Dewes was choking the complainant while the complainant’s mother and cousin were trying to get Dewes off him.
They went on to say that on a previous occasion Dewes lied when he said that he himself rebuilt the shacks in Roodepoort Rugby Club informal settlement because the Housing Department supplied the materials.
September furthermore denied pestering the SAPS and said that he asked for an update only once.
Thlakoane referred to Dewes as a ‘bully’, ‘tyrant’ and ‘slum lord’.
Dewes is to appear in court again on 29 July.
Related articles:
Dagga smoking trespasser becomes political football
www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/roodepoort/roodepoort-announcements-general?oid=7641472&sn=Detail&pid=489964&Dagga-smoking-trespasser-becomes-political-football
