It is reported that Kannaland Mayor, Jeffrey Donson is expected to make an announcement on his political future today.
Donson commented over the weekend: “Recent and ongoing media enquiries about my 2008 conviction on statutory rape and indecent assault have greatly startled and disrupted my family and me. Although the event is years old, it haunts me still and mortal wounds are bleeding again.”
Action Society is of the opinion that Donson should tender his immediate resignation. He was convicted of statutory rape and indecent assault while employed as Kannaland’s mayor in 2008. The conviction was for raping a 15-year-old in 2004. Donson was initially sentenced to five years in prison. The case was appealed to the Western Cape High Court. His conviction was not overturned, but his sentence was reduced to a wholly suspended term of imprisonment, correctional supervision, a R20 000 fine and a rehabilitation programme for sex offenders. In 2008 he was re-elected to the council.
“The ANC is now backtracking regarding the appointment of Donson, but we consider it shameful that they allowed this to happen in the first place. Although they say they ‘stand opposed to any form of gender based violence and corruption’ their actions tell a different story. The current administration is failing to eradicate the scourge of GBVF in our country, and by allowing someone like Donson to serve in public office makes them complicit in what has become the biggest human rights violation of our time,” concluded Cameron.
