CAPE TOWN – The community of Sunbird Park in ward 108 of the City of Cape Town says they cannot, in good conscience, vote for the Democratic Alliance’s candidate for the ward.
A video allegedly showing Rudi Stevens assaulting his former wife has resurfaced, weeks before the local government elections.
A whistleblower, a resident of Sunbird Park, says Stevens is a “GBV perpetrator who has not shown any remorse”.
“Even if he did show remorse, we can forgive him, but he cannot be allowed to stand as a public servant and leader. I say this because he is a resident of Sunbird Park, and we are on community group chats, and instead of being humble, knowing that the community knows what he did, he is still offensive and arrogant in his responses,” says the whistleblower.
“On the night he assaulted his wife, I was personally called by the community policing forum of Sunbird Park, and the Neighbourhood Watch, and I went to the scene, because we lived on the same road, Pelican Walk, Sunbird Park. When I got there, there were multiple people standing around, but the police van already took him away.”
WARNING: This video contains violent visuals that sensitive viewers may find offensive
DA responds
TygerBurger approached the DA for comment and its metro chairperson JP Smith says the party was not aware of the incident but approached Stevens to explain himself.
“After the DA became aware of the video, Stevens was asked for comment. He indicated that his ex-wife withdrew the case and that the matter did not proceed and they now maintain an amicable relationship,” says Smith.
Asked if Stevens is the kind of leader the party is supporting, Smith says while the DA condemns any violence by any member of the party, they also believe in reform. “When approached for comment, Stevens responded by saying the matter took place five years ago and has since been resolved through the courts,” says Smith.
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According to Smith’s reply, Stevens says he and his ex-wife are now at peace and maintain an amicable relationship. “Over the past few years, I have been rebuilding my life and dedicating myself to running community workshops on gender-based violence (GBV). I have learned from my past experiences, and I am committed to using what I have learned to help educate, guide, and uplift young men in our communities,” Stevens said when asked for a reply by his party.
Asked if Stevens was vetted before being accepted as a candidate, Smith says the DA requires candidates to indicate any criminal record or matters that bring the party into disrepute in their application form. Any misrepresentation in that could lead to further action by the DA.
TygerBurger sent a list of questions to an email account and a WhatsApp account listed for Stevens, but is yet to receive a reply.
‘Toxic masculinity’ workshop
In the meantime, Stevens will be the keynote speaker at a workshop on “toxic masculinity” on 21 October in Sunbird Park. The poster for the event mentions, among other things, “I believe every man can change” and “healing”.
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