‘ANC candidate is ex-convict’

‘ANC candidate is ex-convict’
06 May 2010Canaan Mdletshe
The former cop was once jailed for robbery and hijacking
Party probes claim
THE ANC in KwaZulu-Natal said it has referred the matter regarding its Ward 10 candidate Dumezweni Ndlovu to its internal structures.
Ndlovu, 41, was the party’s candidate for the bi-election in the eThekwini municipality.
Ndlovu found himself in the spotlight after it emerged that the former cop was once jailed for robbery and hijacking.
The bi-election took place yesterday. ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala, pictured, yesterday said: “As a party, we have referred the matter to our internal structure with the view to probe whether the party’s code of conduct was not adhered to. And if we find that it had been in any way deterred, disciplinary action will be taken”.
Ndlovu’s past was brought up by the DA’s police spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard, who claimed Ndlovu had served four years in jail for armed robbery, hijacking and theft.
She said he was dismissed from the SAPS in 1999 after he was convicted on the charges.
“Even if he is elected, if he was convicted, he will have to step down,” Zikalala said.
The Constitution prohibits anyone who has been sentenced to more than a year in jail without the option of a fine from standing as a councillor.
According to Section 47 (e) of the Constitution, a person convicted of an offence and sentenced to more than 12 months (without the option of a fine) can stand for public office only after five years from the completion of their sentence. However, this prohibition lapses after five years.
Ndlovu was reportedly released in 2001.