The ANC Women's League said it was suspicious that a Port Elizabeth magistrate had denied an application for leave to appeal by jailed ANC councillor, Andile Lungisa.
On Wednesday, Magistrate Morne Cannon sentenced Lungisa to an effective two years in jail for assaulting DA councillor, Rano Kayser, during the infamous Council brawl of 2016.
He also rejected Lungisa's later application for leave to appeal.
ANC Women's League spokesperson, Thoko Xasa, said while they respect the independence of the Courts, she said they differ with the logic that the Magistrate used in arriving at his judgment.
“The Courts of law must be consistent and at all times strive to have legitimacy in the eyes of the general populace so that it can continue to command moral authority,” Xasa said.
“It is suspicious also for the Court to dismiss Lungisa's application for leave to appeal. The ANCWL encourages Lungisa to approach the Supreme Court of Appeals on the matter.”
“Whether real or imagined, the sentence on Lungisa raises suspicions that there are elements of political vengeance against him,” Xasa concluded.
