Marius Fransman in bloody fisticuffs

Former Western Cape ANC chairperson Marius Fransman says that a text message alleging that he was involved in a fist fight that left him and his opponent bloodied and bruised was aimed at discrediting him.

Fransman, who was suspended from the party for five years following allegations of sexual assault, says he knows exactly who’s behind the incident.

“I also know that a person in the organisation is scared because I’m available for leadership again and [they are] now conducting diversion tactics,” he said.

According to the message, Fransman and Donovan Cloete, a director of Western Cape fuel company World Marine Energy, allegedly got embroiled in fisticuffs last week Friday.

The message claims that their brawl resulted in significant damage to walls and furniture at the company offices.

The message also claims that Fransman, during his term as deputy minister of international relations and cooperation, entrusted his shares in the company to Cloete and his co-director Mogamat Majiet, and that he now wants the shares back. The two directors allegedly refused.

According to the message, Fransman arrived at the company’s office last Friday and the fight broke out. Onlookers seemingly had to pull the two off each other.

City Press’s sister publication Rapport visited the company’s luxury office in Plattekloof on Tuesday. Panoramic views extend over the southern suburbs and the Mother City.

Majiet said there was a “confrontation” between the two parties, but added that there was no actual fighting. When Rapport asked to see the office where the alleged confrontation took place he said it was locked.

“I just hope an independent body will investigate the incident,” he said.

Cloete, speaking from his home town of Springbok, Northern Cape, however, said there was a “onderonsie (altercation)” between him and Fransman.

“He was there. I don’t know what he wanted. He is not a shareholder. If you are attacked, obviously you respond. We moer each other like men, not m*****s. He came up a bit short.”

Fransman did not want to give details about the alleged incident. However, he did confirm that he was at the company last Friday because he is a consultant there.

He said he was with Cloete and chief executive officer (CEO) Mcebisi Maguga in a room.

“Cloete completely lost his mind. I was told: ‘I will moer you. You will see, I will moer jou.’

“My request to the company is [that it keeps its] directors in check.”

Fransman said the WhatsApp message was an attempt to discredit him.

“Its thuggery that is aimed at me. Cloete has no name, he is irrelevant. He was only trying to make me angry. Luckily I did not give in. That’s that. The CEO is certainly sitting with a problem.”

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