The EFF has slammed the suspect for the alleged murder of his 31-year-old wife and mother of two in November 2022 in Kanana, Orkney, outside Klerksdorp in the North West.

EFF national spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys, says the 34-year-old suspect – known to OFM News —has made a mockery of parliament and of gender-based violence (GBV) in his rantings against GBV during parliament plenaries.

Mathys says parliament has a duty to uphold its dignity and must monitor its members and has since called on the Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqgakula, to give intensive oversight to the ethics committee.

"The ethics committee is often found wanting when dealing with cases of abuse. The arrest of the ANC MP is two months after the murder of his wife and it's a reminder that high-profile femicide cases are attended to with some degree of urgency by the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The 34-year-old former Dr Kenneth Kaunda ANC Youth League Secretary is alleged to have murdered his wife in November 2022 at his place of residence. Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, confirmed that the suspect was arrested on Friday 20 January 2023 and that he will appear in the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Monday 23 January.

ALSO READ - #BreakingNews: North West ANC MP in cuffs for wife's murder

Following his arrest, the ANC Women's League released a statement calling for justice for the deceased.

The ANC Women League's provincial convenor, Bitsa Lenkopane, says the murder is a painful reminder of the prevalence of gender-based violence and femicide that many women and children still face.

ALSO READ: ANCWL demands justice following North West woman's murder

A few hours later, his former structure who was a secretary a few years back before he was sent to parliament as an MP, also released a scathing attack condemning his alleged actions.

ANCYL spokesperson, Kutkwano Mothusi, said they stand opposed to the suspect - who is currently in custody and set to face a murder charge in court. Mothusi added that they condemn in the strongest terms possible the murder of women and children.

ALSO READ: ANCYL condemns North West woman’s murder

One of the suspect's comrades and long time friend also penned an emotional open letter condemning the murder of his wife and the GBV.

Former Chairperspn of Dr KK ANC YL, Mandla Tawana, wrote on his Facebook timeline that "I wrote something yesterday (Saturday 21 January 2023) , but it still pains me to post it or share my opinion. However, still, I feel that I am guilty by association, for whatever we do in life mostly affect those that we were closely aligned with. Whatever opinion we have against them will not change what they have done to those that are in grief. We ought to take responsibility for our actions or decisions which compromise our moral standing in society".

Tawana says the suspect's actions placed his comrades in a corner and shamed the organisation.

"After reading all the media statements of both the ANCYL and ANCWL, I could sense disbelief and disappointment, one could detect that it wasn't easy for comrades to issue statements but they are duty-bound to lead the society. Now all of us are guilty by association," Tawana further adds.

OFM News