Cape Town - DRAMA continues to be the order of the day at the embattled Kannaland Municipality after police arrested the speaker’s personal assistant, Donavan Januarie.
Another person, whose identity wasn’t immediately known to Weekend Argus, was also nabbed after police issued warrants of arrest for the duo following a brawl at a local sports ground last week.
“The speaker, Peter-George Rooi's personal assistant and another man were arrested by the police on (Monday) for assault,” said an insider who did not wish to be identified.
“While the police took him into custody, the speaker and other men stormed the police station and demanded his release.
“The speaker was causing chaos, and officials in the station had to run down the corridor as they entered. They acted like barbarians (at) the police station.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said: “Two suspects, aged 18 and 32, appeared in the Ladismith Magistrates’ Court (on Tuesday) after being charged with assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.”
“It is alleged that the accused assaulted a 50-year-old victim at the sports grounds at Van Wyksdorp on October 30 following a commotion. Both suspects were arrested after warrants for their arrest were issued,” said Spies.
The accused were released on R500 bail each, and the case was remanded to December 8.
The municipality is no stranger to commotions.
In September this year, former speaker, Rodge Albertus, was ambushed by members of his former party outside the council.
The dramatic scenes, captured on cellphone footage, began when Albertus, who was a member of the Kannaland Independent Party (KIP) but was summarily fired, stood on the municipal building’s veranda and instructed party members, who gathered outside, to “go home and eat”.
In March, a video emerged that depicted a brawl between former acting municipal manager, Morné Hoogbaard, who occupied his successor Ian Avontuur’s office and refused to leave.
The incident occurred on March 16, but disciplinary proceedings against the culprit, manager for community services, Reginald Timmie, accused of throwing the first punch, began and concluded in June.