Fransman is not back on the job: Kodwa

Somila Nkosana

26 July 2016

National ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa said that Marius Fransman did not have the ANC’s agreement to return to the post of Western Cape leader and the party would oppose his court bid to claim the job back.

Kodwa confirmed remarks by ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe to the effect that Fransman imposed himself at campaign events last week and embarrassed ANC elections head Nomvula Mokonyane into telling reporters that he was back in the fold to save face.

Fransman made a surprise appearance on the campaign trial on Thursday, as President Jacob Zuma went door-to-door in Philippi on the Cape Flats. Over the weekend, he issued a statement welcoming what he termed the ANC’s acknowledgement on that day that he was back in his post and announcing that

Fransman was accused of sexually harassing a 21-year-old colleague while they were travelling to the ANC’s birthday celebrations in Rustenburg in January.

The case was sent to the Northern Cape’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), after prosecuting authorities in the North West decided not to proceed with it, citing insufficient evidence.

The Northern Cape DPP then referred it back to the investigating officer with questions, where the matter remains at this point, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.