The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has called for the immediate suspension of Democratic Alliance (DA) Ekurhuleni proportional representation councillor Kabelo Mahonko following his arrest on allegations of kidnapping and murder.
Mahonko appeared before the Benoni Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 19 August, after being arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of two men, one of whom later died from his injuries.
The allegations have prompted the EFF to question the DA’s response to the arrest, arguing that an internal party process is insufficient given the seriousness of the charges facing one of its elected representatives.
EFF Gauteng provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga said the allegations required a decisive response from the DA and the City of Ekurhuleni.
“Accountability cannot depend on the colour of the political T-shirt worn by the accused. The law must apply equally to all,” Dunga said.
The EFF said it was particularly concerned by the DA’s decision to refer the matter to its Federal Legal Commission, arguing that this should not be the party’s only response while Mahonko remains a serving public representative.
The party called on the DA to immediately suspend Mahonko from all public responsibilities pending the conclusion of the criminal case.
It also called on the City of Ekurhuleni to suspend him from municipal work while the legal process unfolds.
The EFF stressed that its call for suspension should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against Mahonko.
It said the constitutional principle of presumed innocence must be respected and that the determination of guilt or innocence remains the responsibility of a competent court.
However, the party argued that political and ethical accountability could still be considered while criminal proceedings were underway.
“The constitutional principle of presumed innocence must be respected, and guilt or innocence will ultimately be determined by a competent court,” the EFF said.
“However, this principle cannot be selectively invoked to avoid political and ethical accountability when a public representative faces allegations of this magnitude.”
The arrest has placed renewed scrutiny on how political parties respond when serving councillors or public representatives face serious criminal allegations.
The EFF said the DA had built much of its political identity around accountability, consequence management and the rule of law, and should therefore apply those principles consistently when one of its own public representatives is accused of a serious crime.
The party also urged the South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that the investigation and prosecution are conducted without fear, favour or political interference.
It called for all individuals who may have been involved in the alleged kidnapping, assault and subsequent death to face the law if sufficient evidence exists to support prosecution.
The allegations against Mahonko have yet to be tested in court, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The EFF nevertheless maintained that the seriousness of the allegations warranted immediate political action.
The party said the DA must demonstrate whether its commitment to accountability and the rule of law applied equally to its own members and public representatives.
“The DA must decide whether the ‘rule of law’ and accountability are genuine principles or merely slogans selectively deployed against political opponents,” the EFF said.
Mahonko’s arrest comes at a time when political parties in Gauteng are facing increased scrutiny over the conduct of public representatives and the extent to which internal disciplinary mechanisms are used when councillors become embroiled in criminal investigations.
The EFF said the matter should not be treated as an ordinary internal party disciplinary issue because Mahonko serves as an elected representative in the City of Ekurhuleni.
It reiterated that political affiliation should have no bearing on the administration of justice.
“Every person who may have participated in the alleged kidnapping, assault and subsequent death must be brought before the law where the evidence warrants prosecution,” the party said.
The criminal proceedings against Mahonko are expected to determine the next steps in the case, while the EFF has maintained pressure on both the DA and Ekurhuleni municipality to take action against the councillor pending the outcome of the legal process.
