Beaufort West's controversial mayor Truman Prince has been suspended from his party, the Independent Civics Organisation of SA and could lose his job.
The suspension is for allegedly lobbying support for the ANC and verbally abusing Icosa president Jeffrey Donson and the party's national executive members, Icosa provincial secretary Petrus Roodtman said.
While Prince faces disciplinary action and expulsion from Icosa, and could lose his job if found guilty, the party's national executive would give the matter urgent attention when it meets, Roodtman said on Tuesday. "He is officially under suspension."
Roodtman alleged that Prince had appeared to be intoxicated at an Icosa national executive committee meeting.
"Mr Prince swore at the president and told him 'jou ma se p**s'," he claimed.
"He also verbally insulted NEC members. He admitted he was lobbying for the ANC and said he is untouchable.
Through his behaviour he tarnished the image of Icosa. Mr Prince will get an opportunity to appeal in terms of the Icosa constitution and if he fails, he may have to vacate his mayor's position. But the Icosa leadership will have the final decision on it (mayor's position).
We have called a special NEC to discuss the whole matter," Roodtman said.
Roodtman claimed that Prince wanted Icosa to publicly support the ANC in the run-up to next year's elections and entice coloured people in the rural areas to vote ANC.
"We made it clear we do not want this. Icosa is independent and we will talk to any party, but we don't want to be tied down before elections," he said.
Donson refused to comment on what Prince allegedly told him at Icosa's national executive meeting because a disciplinary hearing was pending.