Photo: Algoa FM / Twitter
Photo: Algoa FM / Twitter
High-profile ANC member Andile Lungisa will spend the next two years in jail, after he handed himself over to the authorities on Thursday. Despite protesting his innocence, the ruling party mainstay will serve the remainder of a prison sentence handed down to him three years ago.
Andile Lungisa back in jail
Lungisa ended up embroiled in a fight during a session of regional Parliament in NMB. He smashed a glass jug over the head of DA councillor Rano Kayser. The footage from the altercation shocked South Africa, and former a damning case against the ANC representative. Earlier today, it was revealed that Lungisa made a last-ditch bid to avoid the cells.
He had written to the Constitutional Court, explaining that he was simply ‘not suited to prison life’. His reaction has been widely panned by critics, but his appeal will be heard in due course. Facing a 12:00 deadline to turn himself in, Andile Lungisa – recently suspended from party activities by the ANC – did eventually comply with the court order:
Watch: Andile Lungisa hands himself over to the authorities
#Lungisa arrives at the prison pic.twitter.com/gLabSSnO1g
— Kathryn Kimberley (@KathrynReporter) September 17, 2020
#lungisa ANC NMB councilor Andile Lungisa and supporters at North End prison where he is due to begin serving a 2 year sentence for assaulting a DA councilor @ANC pic.twitter.com/3K1RBH7iNf
— AlgoaFMNews (@AlgoaFMNews) September 17, 2020
Conspiracy theories run wild
Andile Lungisa didn’t go quietly, however. As well as receiving support from dozens of ANC members, he used his last moments of freedom to rally against the verdict, claiming that the infamous video footage had been ‘edited’:
“The battle we are facing today is not new. We were not born yesterday. We have not jumped any stage. I interact with Rano Kayser on a daily basis. We have no problem. I even go to his house and spend time with his family. He even told the paper he has no issue with me. I believe the video was tampered with.”
“I’ve never lifted a hand to anyone in my life. I go to council to debate. I was defending myself and tried to run away. Similarly, I will not break any law in prison.”
Andile Lungisa
