Johannesburg - City of Ekurhuleni MMC for human settlements Abel Tau is no longer with ActionSA.
On Thursday, the party terminated Tau's membership with the party following accusations made against him last month.
The ActionSA's Senate announced the termination of Tshwane Human Settlements MMC Abel Tau's membership on Thursday after the Sunday World reported allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against him.
Tau is accused of attempting to sleep with his friend's wife and forcing himself on her. ActionSA placed Tau on precautionary suspension last month, pending a criminal case levelled against him. The party’s national spokesperson, Lerato Ngobeni, said Tau brought the party into disrepute.
"We can’t tolerate (this) in a country where GBV (gender-based violence) is rife. We can’t tolerate any kind of behaviour that subjugates women or objectifies women for sexual pleasure or any other reason for that matter."
This was over allegations that he allegedly coerced a municipal employee into a sexual relationship with him.
An internal party disciplinary panel met and decided that charges relating to alleged criminal conduct would be more appropriately dealt with in the courts.
In a statement, Action SA added that positions of power in the party come with huge responsibility and trust that its leaders will lead accordingly and that they should refrain from subjugating women through their positions.
Last week, the party undertook to place Tau on precautionary suspension after the news of his sexual assault surfaced. The party said it had noted the allegations and media reports relating to serious allegations levelled against Councillor Abel Tau.
"At this point, we can confirm that the disciplinary process initiated by ActionSA’s Senate is well under way and that all parties have expressed an interest in the matter being expedited. ActionSA, in particular, is seized by the urgency of coming to a determination on this matter. Allegations of this nature are extraordinarily serious, and organisations have a duty to ensure that findings are made and, where it is found necessary, the appropriate steps are taken," the party said at the time.
The party said its disciplinary panel had indicated that the matter would be expedited and concluded this week, after which ActionSA would be at liberty to communicate a finding.
The Star