A charge has been laid against an African National Congress (ANC) ward councillor candidate over a Facebook post, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Thursday.
“DA Councillor Alison van der Molen laid charges this morning at the Jeppe Police Station against Mr Keith Peacock, the ANC candidate for Ward 66…,” spokesperson Jack Bloom said in a statement.
Peacock had posted a comment on Facebook under the alias “Councillor Keith”, Bloom said.
He said that this was “unethical” and in contravention of the Municipal Electoral Act because Peacock was knowingly making a false statement as he was not a councillor.
This was punishable by “a fine or … imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years”, according to the Act.
“The ANC needs to repudiate Mr Peacock’s unethical conduct,” Bloom said.
Responding on Facebook, Peacock said: “It is always sad when people lose their sense of humour, but it … often happens around election time.” — Sapa