DA councillor suspended after calling for leniency for witness-killing gangster

08 June 2015 - 12:37 By Times LIVE
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DA flag.
DA flag.
Image: Gallo Images

Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Willie Jaftha has been suspended after it came to light that he had written a letter on the City of Cape Town letterhead defending a convicted gangster.

According to EWN, Jaftha called for a lenient sentence for convicted murderer Reyaaz Dennis.

 

“The party unequivocally distances itself from the letter. We do not condone it at all. We find it completely unacceptable for a public representative to write such a letter in mitigation of a convicted criminal,” The DA's Liza Albrecht said.

According to IOL Dennis was sentenced to 20 years for the murder of  Cecil Barnes, the father of a State witness, plus 42 years on other charges.

When the letter was revealed, the ANC were quick to condemn the DA.

“It just proves that there is a link between the DA and organised crime on the Cape Flats,” ANC chairperson in the Western Cape Marius Fransman said.

The judge in the case was similarly angered by the letter.

“This court finds it absolutely shocking that an elected councillor, who is supposed to carry out the good norms and values of our communities, and make sure that our streets are free of crime, that such an elected person is putting in a good word for someone who has been convicted for serious crimes, including murder,” said Judge Chantal Fortuin.

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