Fransman has no choice but to step down - Mantashe

Johannesburg - ANC Western Cape chairperson Marius Fransman has no choice but to step down pending the investigation into allegations of sexual assault leveled against him, ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Thursday.

The ANC's national working committee had earlier decided that Fransman should step aside while investigations were underway.

"Directives are not accepted. When the organisation decides, you take the directive," Mantashe told News24.

"We have again reiterated - step aside, allow your case to continue. At the end of it, come back to work without any clouds."

Mantashe said the decision was in line with a resolution taken at the party's national general council held last year. A woman accused Fransman of sexual harassment while they travelled to the North West for the African National Congress's birthday rally in Rustenburg earlier this month.

He has denied the claims.

Mantashe said the same went for Western Cape secretary Faiez Jacobs who has been accused of assaulting a staff member.

The NWC has given Jacobs 48 hours to give reasons why he should not be suspended.

This comes two days after the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeals set aside his suspension.

Jacobs was placed on precautionary suspension in December after he was accused of assaulting a staff member.

He went back to work on Tuesday after the suspension was set aside on Monday.

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.