“While Cape Coast News awaits the outcome of Pieter de Villiers’ court appearance today on sexual assault charges, here’s an interesting political twist…”
Reporter – George April
MALMESBURY:- Pieter de Villiers, former Springbok rugby coach and current political figure, has found himself at the center of controversy once again after facing allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to his second suspension from the GOOD party.
In February 2024, the GOOD party’s National Management Committee (NMC) confirmed that they had terminated de Villiers’ membership following a formal investigation into claims of sexual harassment. The allegations stem from an incident in which de Villiers allegedly made unwanted sexual advances toward a fellow party member in January. The alleged incident occurred when de Villiers drove the complainant home after an event, during which he is accused of groping the individual. A formal complaint was lodged with the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the GOOD party took swift action by suspending de Villiers and conducting an internal disciplinary process.
Advocating – Woman Rights
The decision to suspend de Villiers was based on the outcome of the party’s disciplinary proceedings, which found him guilty of breaching the GOOD Constitution and Code of Conduct. The party emphasized that it holds its members to the highest standards, especially in terms of gender rights and sexual misconduct. GOOD has a strong track record of advocating for the rights of women and girls and standing firmly against gender-based violence.
GOOD National Chairperson, Matthew Cook, stated, “On January 31, 2024, we received a formal complaint against de Villiers, and the nature of the allegations warranted immediate suspension from party activities pending further investigation.”
In addition to the internal disciplinary process, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that de Villiers has been criminally charged. He appeared in the Malmesbury Regional Court facing charges of two counts of attempted sexual assault and criminal injuries. His case has been postponed to May 15, 2024.
This is not the first time de Villiers has faced disciplinary action. Earlier in his career, he was suspended by the GOOD party in 2020 due to similar allegations of misconduct. Despite his high-profile status as a former coach of the Springboks, de Villiers’ ongoing controversies have raised serious concerns about his conduct both in politics and public life.
Following his suspension, GOOD party deputy secretary-general Suzette Little has replaced de Villiers in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature. The party has continued to emphasize its commitment to gender equality and the protection of its members from any form of misconduct.
As the legal process unfolds, the public awaits more information about de Villiers’ future and whether he will face further consequences for his actions. His case remains a reminder of the ongoing struggle to hold public figures accountable for their behavior, especially when it involves issues of sexual misconduct.
