MARIUS FRANSMAN: WHERE IS EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW?

13 January 2016

Congress of the People is concerned at the dilatory manner in which the police appears to be handling the case of Marius Fransman regarding his alleged sexual harassment of his personal assistant. Although a case was opened against him nearly a week ago, no action of the law proceeding against him is visible. He is to all intents and purposes still a very free man.

Sexual harassment is a serious offence in our country and COPE wants to see it being treated as such in respect of the charge against Fransman.

COPE had expected that Fransman would have been formally charged by now. The fact that he is not suggests that he is receiving preferential treatment not accorded to ordinary citizens. Others in a similar situation would have been arrested and would have been required to apply for bail. We smell something fishy here.

We had warned that in many previous sexual harassment cases, the police have tended to protect those in prominent positions at the expense of the woman who has been sexually molested or violated.

COPE is calling upon the police to arrest Fransman and to charge him. He must appear in court and due process must apply to him. Concurrently the investigation must proceed in legal support of the complainant. We believe in equality before the law in a dispensation where rule of law applies.

Fransman must be treated like any other citizen. Like any other citizen we respect the fact that he has the right to proclaim his innocence until he is proven guilty.

COPE further calls upon all men in South Africa to rise up against sexual harassment and rape. It is our duty to root out both of them in our society.

Statement issued by Dennis Bloem, COPE spokesperson, 13 January 2016