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ANC senior official to step down over alleged sexual harassment

Xinhua, January 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Marius Fransman, former Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and now ANC Western Cape Provincial Chairperson, said on Thursday that he would step down pending an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment charges against him.

This was in light with a decision by the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) which met to discuss Fransman's fate.

Fransman said his resignation would best serve the interest of the ANC.

Fransman is being investigated by police for sexual harassment involving a 20-year-old woman, who laid a complaint against him when she accompanied Fransman to the ANC's 104th celebration in Rustenburg, North West Province in early January.

Fransman has denied the allegation, saying he did nothing harmful to the woman. He also acknowledged that he knew the woman personally.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said the ANC's sacking of Fransman "must be seen as an attempt by the ANC to clean house at a time when its reputation is in tatters".

"Fransman's axing from political leadership could not be delayed any longer, as the beleaguered leader lurches from scandal to scandal," the DA said.

The latest development came as the ANC is facing severe competition from the DA in upcoming municipal elections scheduled for later this year.

The DA, which is now controlling the City of Cape Town, has vowed to take control from the ANC of two other major cities like Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The ANC said it is confident of retaining all metropolitan municipalities it currently governs and will be fighting to win the City of Cape Town. Enditem