/ 26 February 2006

Truman Prince charged with assault

Beaufort West police confirmed on Sunday that they are investigating charges of assault and crimen injuria against the town’s former mayor Truman Prince.

A detective who wanted to remain anonymous said the docket was opened on Saturday evening.

Prince, a former mayor and former municipal manager, is alleged to have attacked two African National Congress canvassers, Charles Mcleod and Riaan van West. David Maans, who was with the two men at the time of the incident, said they had been canvassing in the town of Merweville, about 120km from Beaufort West.

The men had stopped at a shop to buy newspapers.

”I just heard some screaming outside. I saw Truman attacking Mcleod. While he [Prince] was attacking, he was also screaming how he was going to kill them,” said Maans.

Maans said he and several others tried to intervene and stop the assault, which they eventually did.

Prince is now the public face of the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa, which is one of five political parties contesting the local government polls in the Central Karoo municipality, which includes Beaufort West.

On Friday, the municipal council unanimously agreed to uphold a decision that Prince be dismissed with immediate effect from his post as municipal manager. — Sapa