“We hope that the law takes its full course and that Albert Fritz is not only suspended from all DA’s caucus and party-related activities, but also prosecuted criminally on the alleged sexual misconduct charges. It is time to clamp down on sexual predators, especially people who abuse their positions of power,” said Ian Cameron from Action Society.
The civil rights group welcomes the dismissal of Albert Fritz as the Western Cape MEC for safety and security, following the external probe conducted by advocate Jennifer Williams, which found that there was sufficient credibility in the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse against the former DA Western Cape leader.
“Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is a pandemic in South Africa and we can’t expect to fight this scourge, if the very people who are put in charge of protecting the most vulnerable citizens in our communities, are becoming the violators. The lack of leadership, accountability and firm action from government can be seen as a silent approval of the abuse and violation that women and children of our country face on a daily basis.”
DA federal council chairperson, Hellen Zille, confirmed that the DA takes the matter of sexual impropriety, sexual abuse and sexual assault very seriously and will not hesitate to take swift and severe action when these matters arise.
“Not only does Fritz need to be dismissed from all his public office positions, criminal charges need to be laid and if he is found guilty his name must also be added to the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). Action Society also proposes that any person whose name appears in the NRSO must not be allowed to hold a position in public office.” concluded Cameron.
ISSUED BY: Action Society
DATE: 1 March 2022
