CAPE TOWN – Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie has thrown his weight behind the party’s Cape Town mayoral candidate, Cheslyn (Steenberg) Daniels, following his arrest over an alleged altercation involving his wife and his estranged ex-wife.

Daniels, who is also Ward 56 councillor, and his wife Devenay, were arrested on Saturday 8 August, following the PA’s Women’s Day celebrations in Belhar.

The couple were charged with common assault and appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 11 August. They were released on bail. The matter has been postponed to Monday 21 September.

The State alleges that Daniels failed to comply with a custody agreement.

The matter stems from an alleged custody dispute involving Daniels, his ex-wife and their five-year-old son.

The child, who attended the event with his mother, allegedly wanted to leave with Daniels at the end of the event.

The court heard that the child ran to Daniels’ car, who was with his wife, and the mother allegedly tried to take him away. A scuffle reportedly ensued between the three.

Speaking to People’s Post, Daniels urged people “not to make assumptions” and thanked them for their support and prayers.

“I want people to not judge the situation beforehand, allow the processes to run its course and allow the criminal justice system to hear the matter and put the facts before a court before people just jump to conclusions.”

Addressing party members at a meeting at the VGK church in Kensington on Thursday 13 August, McKenzie confirmed that Daniels would remain the party’s mayoral candidate.

“He (Cheslyn) is the leader, he is the head and he should’ve handled the situation differently…Nobody in this party is perfect we all have skeletons…If you came here thinking that we as the PA will remove Cheslyn…I want to tell you that you came on the wrong day… God has got a plan with his life,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie said he believed the incident could serve as a lesson for Daniels and reaffirmed his confidence in him as the party’s candidate.

“Cheslyn is not perfect, but I know how God works. This thing that happened to Cheslyn, God has a plan for him to open up men’s eyes to handle situations better. We will deliver Cheslyn on 4 November. He will be the Mayor of Cape Town.”

McKenzie also urged Daniels to address challenges within his personal life, saying this would be important for his ability to lead the city.

“Fix your house, because you cannot rule the Cape if your house is not fixed. I put your mayorship in your hands, I will watch you, I will watch how your wife treats your ex-wife.

“If you cannot fix your house, then you cannot fix the Cape. This thing that happened shows me that you are the right candidate.”

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