The case against Marius Fransman

Western Cape ANC chairperson Marius Fransman allegedly offered a 20-year-old woman a job as his personal assistant – and then allegedly told her to “overcome” her feelings of discomfort at his sexual advances if she wanted to “make a success out of her career”.

This explosive information is contained in the docket of the sexual assault case that police are investigating against him.

Although Fransman vehemently denied the allegations in a statement on Friday night, the docket, which City Press has seen, details the complainant’s account of what allegedly happened.

In it, she is quoted as saying that she met Fransman at an up-market wine estate and hotel just outside Stellenbosch, where she worked, and he “approached her asking about a job offer he once made to her or a friend”.

“On Saturday, January 2, the complainant went for a job interview by [sic] the suspect, whereby she was offered the job,” the docket reads.

“On Sunday, the complainant was informed by the suspect to prepare herself as she will be starting to work as his PA as from Monday, January 4, and would be travelling to Rustenburg with him.”

The young woman then travelled with Fransman and two of his friends, who are named in the docket.

The docket then reveals that, along the way, Fransman, who was driving, swapped with his friend and sat in the back with her, where he started touching her inappropriately.

“On Tuesday, January 5, at about 2.19am, they arrived at the Flamingo Hotel in Kimberley whereby she was forced to share the bed with the suspect and he would wrap his arms over her and rubbed himself against her, touching her breasts,” the docket reads.

“She told him that she does not feel comfortable and he said it would be her challenge to overcome if she wants to make a success out of her career and needs to be clinical and cold about it. They then proceeded to Rustenburg.”

City Press understands that after arriving in North West, the young woman laid a complaint at the Sun City Police Station.

City Press has learnt from five independent sources within both the ANC and the police that pressure was exerted on the young woman to drop her complaint against Fransman.

Two senior ANC members told City Press that ANC leaders, including North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, put pressure on her to drop the case.

“They put a lot of pressure on her to withdraw. And it was people with money,” said the senior party members.

“Remember, she did not have money to go there, and caught a lift with Marius. But she flew back. Who flew her back to Cape Town?”

The woman is understood to have taken the flight back to Cape Town on Friday.

Another senior insider close to the investigation told City Press the young woman was offered money to withdraw the case.

“The amount was said to be R50 000,” the insider said. However, it was not clear who offered to pay the woman.

In addition, North West police were allegedly warned to remain tight-lipped about the criminal charges laid against Fransman.

City Press has learnt that shortly after the charges were laid on Tuesday, an instruction was issued by the office of acting North West police commissioner Major General Jacob Tsumane that the details of the case be kept from the public.

The case will soon be transferred to Kimberley, where the alleged crime occurred.

North West provincial police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone declined to comment.

Yesterday at the wine estate, with its manicured lawns and tree-flanked dam, a staff member said Fransman was a regular visitor to the farm.

The employee told City Press that Fransman usually arrived with only his driver in a black car.

Fransman last had a meal at the farm’s restaurant, which serves Norwegian salmon and aubergine melanzane next to a grand piano, last weekend.

Another employee said the alleged victim resigned “very suddenly” two weeks ago, saying she had been offered a job with perks, including a car, a driver and a flat. She was known to speak with Fransman.

City Press’ calls and SMSes to Fransman went unanswered yesterday.

ANC Western Cape spokesperson Yonela Diko denied that the woman was offered money to drop the case, or that anyone in the party had tried to quash it.

“That’s quite a 'clichéd allegation, and it is quite predictable and frivolous. There is a lot of speculation going around and I won’t substantiate any of it. Marius Fransman is not losing any sleep over this. He’s had 20 years of unbroken service and he’s seen it all,” said Diko.

In a statement on Friday night, the ANC’s Western Cape branch said “Fransman denies the allegations with the contempt they deserve”.

Fransman said: “As a seasoned politician, I expect these kinds of malicious attacks on my integrity. This is unfortunately one of the lowest levels that people can stoop to.

“I want the police to leave no stone unturned in investigating this matter, as I am interested in getting to the bottom of the allegations. I will pursue all available avenues to clear my name and protect my integrity.”

Mahumapelo was in a meeting yesterday afternoon and did not respond to detailed questions. On Friday, his spokesperson Brian Setswambung dismissed allegations that he tried to quash the case as “an absolute lie”.

“What the premier simply did was to enquire about the incident. After enquiring, he was satisfied with the information received and said the law should take its course.”

Meanwhile, ANC members in the Western Cape, who spoke to City Press on condition of anonymity, said they expected Fransman to be suspended or at least to take leave voluntarily until the case against him was finalised.

“He should be suspended, especially if you take the resolutions from Mangaung [into account],” said the member.

“The discussion at that conference was about whether the inaction on accused comrades is a disservice to the individual or a disservice to the organisation, and Mangaung agreed it was a disservice to the organisation, and we need to protect the organisation.”

Another senior ANC member from the Western Cape also expected Fransman to take a leave of absence.

“He has dented the image of the ANC. In fact, this overshadowed the January 8 statement,” said the member.

“You must also remember he is not only a member of the [Western Cape] provincial legislature, he is the leader of the opposition in the legislature. Every time he gets up to speak, he will be reminded of this scandal. The ANC cannot afford that going into an election.”

Last month, ANC Western Cape officials placed the party’s provincial secretary, Faiez Jacobs, on “precautionary leave pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process”.

Jacobs was accused of assaulting an ANC staff member.