Cape Town - A DA councillor, who hastily resigned in the face of assault charges, has appeared in the Riversdale Magistrate’s Court for allegedly beating a woman, believed to be his life partner.
The party confirmed on Monday that Richard Johannes, a former proportional councillor, resigned on Thursday, ahead of his court appearance this week.
National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila said that Johannes appeared in court on Monday morning, where he faced charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
It is believed that the woman he had allegedly assaulted had 5cm lacerations on her head and her eyes were swollen and blue. Ntabazalila said: “The accused was warned by police to appear in court today (on Monday) and he did.”
The matter was postponed to August 17 for Johannes to arrange for legal representation.
Lisby Pieterse, the ANC secretary for Hessaqua sub-region, said a group of supporters from the area held a picket outside the court in support of the woman and to condemn the alleged assault.
“He was a public figure… we’re very unhappy,” Pieterse said, adding that it was “not a political thing.”
She said the woman had come to the ANC offices on Wednesday, after the alleged beating on Tuesday night.
“She looked terrible,” Pieterse said. Pieterse said photos were taken and she had accompanied the woman to the police station where they had handed over the images and also a doctor’s report.
The woman is believed to be staying with relatives and was severely bruised and traumatised by the incident, Pieterse said. Pieterse claimed it was not the first time the woman had been assaulted.
“She said that before she had bruises on her body and now it’s on her head and her face. For us it’s unacceptable… he’s somebody who works with people everyday and men should not lift their hands to woman, they should support women.”
DA Western Cape leader Patricia de Lille said that Johannes had resigned on Thursday “with immediate effect” and that he cited the charges brought against him and the “consequent negative publicity” as reasons for the resignation.
Cape Argus