Fransman wins part of court challenge against ANC

27 July 2016 - 14:19 By Philani Nombembe

Controversial African National Congress (ANC) Western Cape leader Marius Fransman has scored a minor court victory against his own party. He must be given a copy of an internal report drafted by the party’s Integrity Commission‚ which probed allegations of sexual harassment against him.Fransman was accused of sexual harassment by his former personal assistant‚ Louisa Wynand. The 21-year-old accused the provincial chairman of sexually harassing her during a trip to the party’s birthday celebrations in the North West in January.Fransman took ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe and Frene Ginwala‚ the deputy chairperson of the party’s Integrity Commission‚ to court to this week to compel them to release its report into his alleged misconduct.This was after a copy of the report was leaked to the media‚ recommending that he no longer partake in party activities.‘We will take this city‚’ EFF members vow ahead of Malema's visit to EkurhuleniFransman wants the High Court in Cape Town to issue a “declaratory” order to confirm his position as the party’s leader in the province – as there have been conflicting reports as to whether he is entitled to resume his duties ahead of the local government elections.He stepped down pending an internal inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against him. But he emerged recently and campaigned for the upcoming local government elections alongside President Jacob Zuma in Cape Town.Fransman’s legal counsel reached an agreement on Wednesday with lawyers acting for Mantashe and Ginwala that the party’s Integrity Commission report would be given to him by noon on Wednesday. The agreement was made an order of the court.“At about 9.30 last night‚ myself and the attorneys acting for (Mantashe and Ginwala) reached an agreement that by 12 o’clock today they will furnish us with a copy of the integrity commission’s report and they will file the opposing papers by 12 o’clock this afternoon’‚ said Fransman’s lawyer‚ Ashley Meyer.“The exact relief that he [Fransman] wants is that the court grant a declaratory order pertaining to his position as chairperson of the ANC in the Western Cape and secondly that [he] be furnished with a copy of the integrity commission’s report. The second half of the relief has been agreed and we view that as a concession by the Mr Mantashe and Mrs Ginwala‚” he said.The matter continues on Friday. – TMG Digital/The Times..

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