Former leader of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GLA) Juan Uys has thrown his weight behind the newly created National People’s Party (NPP).
He said on Thursday that he had also taken up a post as personal assistant to controversial Cape Town city councillor Badhi Chaaban.
Uys faces a crimen injuria charge after an allegation that he was behind a ”sex-blogger” claim that Independent Democrats (ID) city caucus leader Simon Grindrod made use of a male prostitute.
Uys has denied the allegation, and has laid a counter-charge against Grindrod.
He told the South African Press Association that the NPP, formed with Chaaban’s backing, appointed him as its media liaison officer, an unpaid post, this week.
He felt ”totally at home” in the party, which was completely focused on working for the poor.
”It doesn’t matter what one is doing in politics, you have to look after the poor first. If you don’t look after your poor, you’re condemned, finished,” he said.
”My vision of politics is with this party. I’m really five thousand percent behind this party.”
”I’ve had a passion for politics all the years. I was born a politician.”
He said the GLA, now defunct, had been a registered political party.
Uys said he had been following news reports on Chaaban for some time, because he liked Chaaban’s political style.
”He’s not boring, he’s energetic, and he doesn’t beat around the bush.”
When he eventually phoned Chaaban, it emerged that Chaaban had likewise been following news reports about Uys.
”He said, can you be in Cape Town in 24 hours? Chaaban has appointed me as his personal assistant. Within a couple of days I will take over all his liaison with the public.”
Chaaban, the African Muslim Party’s sole representative on the city council, is currently facing a council disciplinary hearing over claims he offered councillors bribes to cross to the NPP during the current floor-crossing window.
The city speaker has also laid a criminal complaint against him, and Chaaban has launched a defamation claim against mayor Helen Zille. — Sapa