Truman Prince, the embattled central Karoo district municipal manager, has pleaded not guilty to charges of bringing the African National Congress into disrepute, SABC radio news reported on Wednesday.
Prince’s disciplinary hearing began in Cape Town on Wednesday night, chaired by attorney Peter Williams.
Several witnesses, including a representative of the Karoo Centre for Human Rights and four Laingsburg waitresses allegedly verbally abused by Prince, have been asked to testify at the hearing, being held in the ANC’s office in Cape Town.
Earlier, the ANC’s Western Cape secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said he was not sure how late the hearing would continue. ”But one thing I’m sure of is there’s not going to be final judgement today,” he said.
Prince is represented at the hearing by attorney and ANC member Charles Simons.
Prince, who arrived with Simons, declined to talk to waiting journalists.
He is also facing a municipal disciplinary hearing in Beaufort West and criminal charges of assault and riotous behaviour.
He hit the headlines earlier this year when he featured in an SABC Special Assignment documentary on child prostitution in the Karoo town.
Late on Wednesday, Skwatsha could not be reached for comment. – Sapa