CAPE TOWN - A DA ward councillor in the George Municipality has landed herself in hot water for allegedly using the K-word during a heated telephonic argument with a senior law enforcement officer.
The officer has lodged a complaint against the councillor at George police station. The matter has also been reported to the municipality.
Police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said George SAPS detectives were investigating a case of crimen injuria, based on allegations that a councillor allegedly used a derogatory racist word against the complainant.
“No arrest has been made. The docket will be submitted for a decision to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) once the investigation is concluded. We are not at liberty to divulge the name of the suspect as no one has been charged nor appeared in court yet,” he said.
The George Municipality said the Speaker of the council, Gerrit Pretorius, had instructed it to probe the allegation.
Pretorius said: “I am aware of the allegation levelled against the councillor in question as well as the affidavit and supporting affidavit provided in support of the allegation. The supporting affidavit, however, does not confirm the allegation and the councillor in question also vehemently denies the allegation.
’’The matter is viewed in a very serious light. Our full support and co-operation will be provided to the investigation. It is trusted that the SAPS will conclude its investigation in this regard ASAP.”
SACP District Secretary, Langa Langa called on the DA to immediately suspend Kritzinger.
“The SACP calls on the DA to be decisive against racism by its members and calls on the society of George to stand up against and strongly condemn this incident and any other racial abuse by anyone to rid our city from any form of racist and unacceptable kind of discrimination,” Langa said.
Responding to the SACP, Kritzinger said: “I have received the attached SACP letter of September 8 from a third party at around 13h00 today, six days after its drafting. I recommend to Mr Langa Langa that he familiarises himself with the status of this matter. False accusations of racism is far too serious a matter to be treated in such cavalier and benighted fashion.”
Cape Times