After it came to the public’s attention that the ‘new’ mayor of Kannaland, a municipality in the Western Cape, was none other than a convicted child-rapist, activists began to fight the situation.
The re-election of the 2008 convict, Jeffrey Donson caused a massive stir in the public eye – so much so that the ANC, who had formed a recent coalition with Donson’s political party, the Independent Civic Organisation of SA (Icosa), indicated plans to rethink their position, expressing that they do not tolerate gender-based violence.
Facing pressure to step down, Donson eventually spoke out, communicating that he would be “reflecting” and “applying his mind”.
However, the word is in and it seems that Donson won’t be going anywhere, and neither will his deputy mayor, convicted fraudster Werner Meshoa, who was also found guilty of sexual misconduct with a pupil when he worked as a teacher.
According to News24 who cite a statement from Icosa chairperson, Dawid Kramfer, explaining that the approach was to turn to legal rights. Kramfer indicated that “every citizen has the right to vote in elections for any legislative body established in terms of the Constitution, to stand for public office and if elected to hold office.”
Kramfer also alleged that Donson did not know the girl he raped in 2004 was 15 at the time and “assumed that she was of legal age”.
He brought the community of Kannaland into the mix too, expressing that many members supported Donson while on trial.
“It is the same community that voted for this councillor in the past and current elections,” he said.
However, it’s not that simple. It is not the community’s vote alone that counts and they are not the deciders of the ultimate mayor. Although the public does have a vote toward councillor positions at local government levels, it is still a committee of councillors that makes up the group that votes for the mayor, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
What becomes interesting for me as someone who has specialised in Political Science, is how those in power try to place the responsibility on the public when in actuality, it is the committee that has more accountability in final decision-making procedures.
According to IOL, winning the community’s votes were also something of a strange business.
According to DA MPL Gillion Bosman, during the election period, Icosa spent a lot of time handing out alcohol to potential voters.
“It is a concern that the community voted for someone like this to be in power. We have always had concerns about Kannaland under Icosa rule. The staff that are appointed are not qualified for positions,” Bosman said.
Icosa has taken the position that they are in support of restorative justice, which is another debate on its own in reference to Donson’s standing. However, how true the restorative stature of Mayor Donson is, is not entirely known. As Bosman further indicated, the sexual predatory nature of the authority “has not stopped.”
In further watchdog response, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) has launched an investigation into Donson’s election.
The CGE said it viewed development in Kannaland as a slap in the face in the fight against gender-based violence, and intends to engage all relevant parties in this matter, as IOL reports.
As for the ANC’s coalition in this municipality, political behaviour expert and senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria, Heather Thuynsma expresses that:
“Coalitions can be difficult to manage and certainly makes for some strange political bedfellows. They can also hamper the pace of service delivery. But it is up to the voters to push and make sure their representatives keep their word.”
Also Read:
Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery