Genevieve Serra|Published
DA Metro Chairperson and City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith has defended fellow DA member and ward 108 candidate Rudi Stevens after a video appeared to show him assaulting his former wife.
The video, which circulated on social media this week, appears to show Stevens hitting his then-wife with his fists in front of what seem to be their children. It is understood that the video was recorded about five years ago and that Stevens and his wife have since divorced.
The woman can be heard screaming: “Wat het ek vir jou gedoen?” (“What did I do to you?”)
Stevens responds: “Say it again.”
DA defends Stevens and cites rehabilitation
It is understood that the couple have been divorced for several years and that a case opened against Stevens at the time was later withdrawn.
The video surfaced just days before Stevens was due to deliver a keynote address at a men’s upliftment workshop in Sunbird Park on October 21.
Enquiries to Stevens' spokesperson were not answered by time of publication. Steven's said a statement would be issued.
Stevens describes himself as a community leader and a member of the Residents and Ratepayers Association. He also identifies himself as an advocate for families affected by gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Posters relating to the video were also circulated on social media, calling on Smith to respond.
The DA was asked whether it had been aware of the video before Stevens was appointed as a ward candidate, what action would be taken after the video emerged and what its position was on gender-based violence.
When approached by Weekend Argus, the City referred the publication to the political party.
In its response, the DA said Smith, in his capacity as DA Metro Chairperson, had stated that Stevens had reformed, changed his behaviour and was working to combat violence against women.
Critics question DA’s candidate-vetting process
“What he did is deplorable, but he has turned his life around and has devoted the last five years to campaigning for women’s rights,” Smith said.
“The DA believes in second chances and that people can be redeemed. Whether that is the case with Mr Stevens is demonstrated by his exemplary behaviour over the intervening years as an emergency responder, community volunteer, first-aid trainer and anti-GBV campaigner.”
His former wife declined to comment.
Wendy Williams of Roots Community Outreach, an NGO, also took to social media to question the process used to vet Stevens for a position of power.
“People can change, and second chances matter. But legal eligibility, rehabilitation and public accountability are not the same thing,” she said.
“So my questions are directed at the DA leadership:
Questions remain over accountability
“What due diligence was conducted? Was the footage assessed? What evidence of rehabilitation was considered? Was the candidate’s account independently verified? And what standards does the DA apply when selecting candidates previously implicated in allegations of gender-based violence?
“If political parties campaign against GBV, how do they demonstrate that commitment in their own candidate-selection processes?
“Accountability must begin before election day.”
Former City of Cape Town councillor and former Mayco member Grant Pascoe said accountability was particularly important when someone held a position of power.
“JP Smith must explain why the DA believes Rudi Stevens is fit to represent the public after a video allegedly showing him assaulting his former wife resurfaced. A claim of reform is not enough,” Pascoe said.
“Smith’s response repeats Stevens’s claims that the case was withdrawn, that they now have an amicable relationship and that he has changed.
“That response is shamefully inadequate. The public deserves an independent investigation and clear answers about why the DA continues to support his candidacy.
“Violence against a partner is an abuse of trust and power. It violates a woman’s safety and dignity. The fact that an incident happened years ago does not remove the responsibility to answer for it.
“Even one confirmed assault is enough to demand accountability. Women should not have to suffer repeated violence before political leaders take it seriously.
“A withdrawn case does not prove that an assault never happened. A peaceful relationship today does not settle whether someone is fit for public office. Stevens’s former wife must not be expected to defend his reputation or carry responsibility for his political career.”