Ex-MMC arrested over assault claim at ANC branch meeting

The Ekurhuleni ANC said they are waiting for Doctor Xakaza, former mayoral committee member (MMC) for Finance, Economic Development and ICT, to tell the organisation what really happened following reports that he was arrested for alleged assault.

It is alleged that during a branch general meeting (BGM) in Ward 102 in Tembisa three weeks ago, Xakaza allegedly assaulted MMC for Human Settlement Lesiba Mpya.

It was confirmed that Xakaza was arrested on Wednesday.

Jongizizwe Dlabathi, whip of the ANC Ekurhuleni caucus, confirmed that Xakaza was arrested but said they did not want to comment on the allegations.

“We saw reports on social media. Xakaza was arrested and subsequently released on Wednesday. We are still going to find out what transpired but there is a platform available for Xakaza to communicate with the organisation,” Dlabathi said.

“Although the other person involved has informed the organisation, for now we are waiting for Xakaza to give us confidence, hence we are saying we cannot comment on the allegations.”

According to a source, Xakaza is running for the position of chairperson, meaning that he is likely to compete with former Ekurhuleni mayor and caucus leader Mzwandile Masina for the post.

“The meeting got heated because Xakaza is eyeing the position to be a chairperson,” said the source.

The regional secretary of the ANC in Ekurhuleni, TK Nciza, could not be reached for comment.

However deputy regional secretary Pelisa Nkunjana dismissed the reports.

“It is not true, Xakaza did not assault Mpya. These are ANC internal processes. The meeting had already sat at Ward 102 and there was no need for it to sit again. Xakaza was against that and raised it internally. Mpya wanted the meeting to sit. I also believe the meeting was not supposed to sit,” said Nkunjana.

She also said the regional conference was supposed to take place this weekend but had been postponed.

Nkunjana said there were several reasons for the postponement including outstanding BGMs, disputes and other internal issues.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said he would check with his SAPS colleagues.

The Star contacted both Xakaza and Mpya but there was no response.

Ekurhuleni Metro dismissed reports that the incident happened in the metro.