The Petrusburg DA councillor in the Letsemeng Local Municipality, Nthapo Vincent Nthapo, was charged with assaulting his wife in May 2022. He was facing a charge of common assault.

ALSO READ: Free State DA councillor due in court

He tells OFM News that charges were withdrawn against him due to insufficient evidence. Nthapo says his lawyers made a presentation to the state prosecutor who then discussed it with the National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP). It was then decided to drop the case against him. He denies ever laying hands on his wife and alleges that the case was politically motivated because of squabbles, emanating from his relationship with his wife.

Nthapo says he was never asked to step aside by the official opposition in the province.

The DA provincial leader, Roy Jankielsonh, at the time told OFM News the party had commissioned its Constituency Head to investigate the matter.

Following his arrest by the police, he was released on a warning.

ALSO READ: DA councillor out on a warning

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) in the Free State is yet to comment on OFM News’ inquiry.

Meanwhile, on Thursday 15 September in a separate matter in the Theunissen Magistrate’s Court, the state provisionally withdrew its case against Masilonyana Mayor Dimakatso Modise and her four co-accused - including former speaker, councillor, and office bearers - after at least four court appearances since their arrests in May 2022.

ALSO READ: Charges withdrawn against suspended Free State mayor

According to the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, the accused made representations to the Senior Prosecutor. The matter was discussed with the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and a decision was taken that the case will be withdrawn after the representations were considered.

They were facing charges of incitement of violence following the violent protest in the Makeleketla location near Winburg, which led to a house belonging to the parents of the then mayor, Kunatu Stephen Koalane, being set alight by irate protesting residents in 2021.

ALSO READ: FS mayor in cuffs after being linked to violent protests

The ANC’s Provincial Interim Committee (IPC) in August 2022 told Modise to step aside as the mayor and a member of Lejweleputswa’s Regional Committee. She was asked to step aside as per party policies adopted during the ANC’s 54th Nasrec National Elective Conference in 2017.

In leaked audio, Modise is heard informing her comrades that she was asked by the IPC to step aside through a zoom meeting. Her suspension from the party by the IPC comes a few weeks before the ANC in the province heads to its Provincial Elective Conference to elect its new leadership.

OFM News