Kimberley - A high-ranking ANC politician and member of the Northern Cape provincial legislature is apparently on the run after violating an interim protection order and kicking his wife in her genitals.
According to the wife’s legal representative, anyone who violated a protection order had to be arrested immediatly in terms of the Domestic Violence Act. However, this did not happen despite the alleged assault taking place in the presence of a police officer.
When the police contacted the suspect, he informed them that he was 300 kilometres from Kuruman and had no intention of returning to Kimberley.
The wife exposed alleged emotional and physical abuse that she had to endure while living with him for several years to the media earlier this month.
The police on Sunday indicated that, due to the “sensitivity of the matter”, they were unable to divulge any information regarding the case.
Police spokeswoman Lieutenant Andrea Cloete confirmed that the Kimberley police are investigating a case of contravening a protection order, although they did not have a record of the alleged assault.
“No arrests have been made yet. The police investigation continues,” she said.
The couple appeared in the Domestic Violence Court on Friday, where the matter was postponed until July 7.
Their attorneys are in the process of reaching an out of court settlement as they wanted to part ways amicably.
Legal representative for the complainant, Leanne Sullaphen, however stated that anyone who violated a protection order had to be immediately arrested in terms of the Domestic Violence Act.
“The assault took place at their home on Saturday, in the presence of a protector who is also a police officer. This person later encouraged the politician to leave the house. No-one bothered to determine the injuries of the complainant after she was kicked.
“The complainant was examined at the police station and obtained a medical report as she sustained vaginal injuries during the assault.”
It is believed that before the incident took place, the suspect (husband) entered the main bedroom that the complainant occupies to search for a certificate and his passport.
The bedroom was declared out of bounds by the interim protection order.
An argument broke out over him assisting her financially with alternative living arrangements. She is due to move out on Wednesday.
Sullaphen stated that, once the police were informed of the violation of the protection order and the assault, an arrest should immediately have been executed.
“The suspect must be kept in custody until his court appearance. If he is released, strict bail conditions must be imposed.”
She added that the police contacted the suspect, who informed them that he was 300km from Kuruman and had no intention of returning to Kimberley over the weekend.
“The suspect is a fugitive of the law who is travelling with a police officer in a state vehicle. There appears to be intervention from the top management structures of the police not to arrest him. He should also be charged with defeating the ends of justice.”
Sullaphen stated that the previous assault charges that were withdrawn against the suspect by his common law wife earlier this year, would also be re-opened.
Chairman of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation Ross Henderson recommended that the matter be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directive (IPID) as it appeared as if a double set of laws was applicable for politicians who allegedly transgressed the law.
“The ordinary man in the street would be immediately arrested if he was charged for the same offence. The suspect is using his political office to bypass the laws. This is also not the first alleged incident of assault.”
He also questioned why the protector, who had witnessed the assault, did not arrested the suspect.
The politician did not answer his cellphone or respond to queries on Sunday.
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