STEVEN MANN, Cape Town | Tuesday
WILLIAM Bantom, the mayor of Cape Town’s metropolitan council, resigned on Tuesday after being caught for the second time viewing pornography in his office.
Bantom, an ordained and widely respected minister, was first caught downloading porn sites from the Internet and watching pornographic videos in his office in October last year, and was given a chance to reform, Western Cape Premier Gerald Morkel told a press conference.
However last week, one of Bantom’s staff members turned on the mayor’s television to watch cricket, and a pornographic video was playing.
“It became clear to me that Bantom has not ceased his pornographic activities and is not a fit candidate for the upcoming municipal elections,” Morkel said.
At least one of the Internet sites Bantom downloaded showed child pornography.
Morkel said Bantom had been asked to resign from the New National Party.
The African National Congress slated Morkel for having given Bantom a chance to reform himself, saying the provincial government had tried to cover up the scandal.
Bantom could not be contacted for comment.