ANC Nelson Mandela Bay councillor Andile Lungisa must serve his two-year prison sentence for assault on the unarmed Democratic Alliance’s Deputy Caucus Leader for Nelson Mandela Bay, Councillor Rayno Kayser. Kayser was severely injured when Lungisa beat him with a glass water jug, which shattered on impact, rendering Kayser unconscious & subsequently rushed to hospital for medical treatment.

Kayser sustained a number of injuries including a cut to his temple that needed stitches, several cuts between 5cm to 10cm on his neck where glass had to be surgically removed and a cut to his chest. 4 years since the unfortunate incident, Kayser still suffers intolerable migraines, anxiety attacks, flashbacks from the incident & PTSD.

As a leader of the ANC in the council, who was responsible for instilling discipline among his fellow councillors, Lungisa had a responsibility to lead by example. Instead he did the opposite, which saw his fellow councillors taking their cue from him, throwing glasses at other councillors. The trial court was correct in its description of the councillors’ conduct as that of ‘street thugs’ Lungisa’s conduct should not be tolerated & the sentence imposed by the trial court equally befits even an ordinary member of society, if due regard is had to the seriousness of the offense.

If Andile Lungisa is to be excused of his actions, this sets a precedence that violence is accepted and the only resolve to pertinent issues which can otherwise be amicably dealt  with. We should not encourage such violent behavior. Excusing or pardoning Andile’s behavior sends a dismal message to the youth of this country, when many are working hard to eliminate an already high rate of violence, crime, gangsterism, poverty, substance abuse, school dropouts and teenage pregnancy. 

We need to do better - we CAN do better. It’s about time politicians realized they are NOT God-Like and WILL be held accountable for their thuggery. 

If you support that Andile faces his full term, sign this petition.