The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape says it has suspended two of its public officials who got involved in a scuffle with two members of the public.
In a statement on Thursday, DA Eastern Cape chairperson, Andrew Whitfield, said they condemned the incident, which led to criminal charges being laid against the DA politicians.
The Daily Dispatch reported that the incident, involving several DA members including a Member of the Provincial Legislature, occurred late in December at an Umgidi ceremony for initiates at Keiskammahoek.
According to the newspaper, the "party" was hosted by MPL Sanele Magaqa, who is reportedly charged with physically attacking the DA's Buffalo City constituency member, Nomkhita Manzini while DA Buffalo City Councillor, Simphiwe Tsala is reportedly accused beating up party activist, Thembela Dyongwana.
Whtifield said that the DA received the complaint in this matter last week and immediately referred to the Provincial Disciplinary Committee "which after conducting a preliminary investigation" and considering the facts as reported, recommended to the Provincial Executive Committee to suspend the two public representatives in question.
"The DA condemns strongly the allegations of assault. We do not take these allegations lightly, hence we've taken very swift and urgent action to deal with the issue in question," he said.
Whitfield said the DA's Provincial Executive has also formally referred the matter to the party's Federal Legal Commission for urgent attention.
