General
The police have confirmed they are investigating a case of assault against Johannesburg MMC Sithembiso Zungu that was opened by community members. Separately, the ANC confirmed on Tuesday, May 26, that it had referred Zungu to its disciplinary committee after extortion allegations were levelled against him.
On 15 May, community activists who had connected water for an informal settlement in Vlakfontein, south of Joburg, became embroiled in an argument with Zungu, a member of his ward committee and local businesspeople in his circle.
Two activists claim they were assaulted during the clash, prompting one to open a case against Zungu and four associates.
Zungu is under pressure in Vlakfontein, where he is the ward councillor. Like many other wards in Johannesburg, the area has long struggled with water, electricity and numerous other service delivery failures.
Zungu is the City’s MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, a portfolio that grants him oversight of all the City’s entities.
The anonymous complainant claimed that Zungu and his associates conferred with locals on May 15 to hear their complaints. According to the police docket, after the first complainant was allegedly beaten up, he fetched the second, who accompanied him to open a case at Lenasia South Police Station.
The two returned to the scene with the police, and both were allegedly beaten up by Zungu and his associates, in full view of the police.
"Things happened so quickly. They were ready for us. We thought because we were accompanied by the police, they would not do anything,” said the complainant.
Over the course of his career, he has initiated three separate cases against Zungu: two for assault and one for intimidation, but the National Prosecuting Authority has decided not to pursue the intimidation case. Additionally, following a 2019 incident where a passenger in his car was killed in what he describes as a targeted hit, the activist opened a murder case against an unknown suspect.
Expressing fear for his life, the activist alleged that Zungu recently warned him: “Don’t sleep at home.”
persistent campaign' Asked for comment, Zungu WhatsApped Daily Maverick, “You have never given me any fair hearing, these are the very same boys not community members but members of Mk [sic] who have gone out on a relentless campaign to tarnish my name and they have your support.
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The complainant said he was a member of the Economic Liberators Forum of SA.
Zungu went on to say that "they [the complainants] are the very same people who have claimed that I’m a Zimbabwean." He added that this was his further comment. They have been opening so many frivolous cases against me just so I step aside [in line with ANC regulations — members must step aside once charged with a criminal offence].
The same strategy is employed each time elections are held. So I’ve made peace and accepted that sometimes media is used to tarnish people’s reputations and it ends there.”
City of Joburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said, “The MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr.
Sithembiso Zungu is not aware of any criminal case that has been opened against him. At this stage, neither the MMC nor his office has received any formal communication from law enforcement authorities regarding such allegations or any investigation involving him.
“The MMC is currently not available to comment on the matter as the announcement was made publicly during the ANC NEC [National Executive Committee] media briefing earlier today. Any further communication or clarification regarding the matter will be addressed through the appropriate party processes and channels.”
Daily Maverick previously reported that Zungu has been named in three instances of extortion related to construction projects near Vlakfontein.
He has been accused of being a “construction mafia” member and has been involved with the local business forum.
