Ladysmith municipality suspends manager (46) accused of rape

A 46-year-old senior municipal official handed himself over to police on Monday after being accused of raping a 28-year-old woman. Ladysmith Gazettereportsthe victim who laid the charges claims that, while employed as an intern at the municipality, was picked up from her home by the man one morning. She alleges that on the way to the office he stopped and raped her.

Local police spokesperson Warrant Officer Basheer Khan commented that Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit detectives were tracing the suspect after police received a report of rape. He appeared in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was remanded into custody. He will appear back in court next Monday on rape charges.

“The municipality takes these accusations very seriously and vehemently opposes sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and abuse of power in any form. Such behaviour will not be accepted and has no place in the organisation or society. “In keeping with our dedication to moral leadership and responsibility, the municipal manager has taken a firm stance by serving the implicated official with a notice of intention to suspend him yesterday, in compliance with the municipal disciplinary process. Breaking news at your fingertips…Follow Caxton Network News onFacebookand join ourWhatsApp channel.