Tshwane ANC’s George Matjila denies being arrested despite police confirmation
Matjila has been accused of assault by a fellow ANC member in the region, who laid a common assault case against him.
African National Congress emblem. Picture: AFP
JOHANNESBURG - While police have confirmed that African National Congress (ANC) secretary in Tshwane, George Matjila, handed himself over at the Sunnyside police station, he denies ever being arrested.
Matjila has been accused of assault by a fellow ANC member in the region, who laid a common assault case against him.
Gauteng police have confirmed that Matjila was released on warning and is due in court on 21 August.
Despite the police confirmation, Matjila doesn’t consider this an arrest.
“I was never arrested. I went to the police station to make a statement. It’s a matter of a common assault, so the prosecutor must decide whether the matter must serve. So, it’s just a political case.”
POLITICAL STUNT
Matjila said the assault case is a political stunt aimed at damaging his reputation.
With the ANC in Tshwane preparing for an elective conference, Matjila believes internal rivals are behind the claims in an attempt to stop his re-election bid.
“It’s lies that are concocted. It’s something that is fabricated for the upcoming conference. Every now and then, we have conferences in Tshwane, and there will be some faceless people who are trying to dirty the image of other contenders.”