ANC youth leader's shooting arrest sparks claims of plot

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) national executive committee member Babiki Dewet has accused rival party factions in Free State of framing him for attempted murder in a bid to derail his political career after he was arrested for allegedly firing a gun at a funeral, where a mourner was shot.

- By Bongani Mdakane

Dewet, who is also a strategic special advisor to the mayor of Ngwathe municipality together with the ANC chairperson in the Fezile Dabi region, Victoria de Beer-Mthombeni, appeared at Koppies magistrate's courts on Monday, where he was released on bail of R1000. He is expected to appear in court again on May 5.

The shooting incident happened at the funeral of ANC's Ngwathe chief whip Leponesa Sotshiwa in Kwakwatsi township when mourners allegedly fired gunshots. A bullet struck a mourner.

While police charged Dewet with attempted murder and discharging a firearm, his lawyers claim he faces only the latter charge, calling the allegations “politically motivated lies”.

According to the charge sheet, Dewet was arrested weeks later. He denies his involvement, asserting that his firearms remained locked in his car at the time of the incident.

Sunday World understands that during the funeral, there were mourners who were shooting into the air as a sign of paying their respects to a fallen comrade.