News24 reports that according to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, he is "currently" not able to lay criminal charges in the sexual assault scandal involving suspended Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz.

However, Winde advised that he could not rule out criminal charges should an investigation result in advice indicating that it was necessary or appropriate for him to do so. "I am being assisted by the legal services unit of the Western Cape government, which has approached the State Attorney, instructing them that independent legal counsel be appointed to conduct an external investigation into the veracity of the allegations made against Minister Albert Fritz. We are currently awaiting confirmation from the State Attorney on the instruction, which we expect to receive imminently. I will provide the details of the appointee once confirmed," Winde indicated. He advised that the allegations were first brought to his attention by "a third party" informally on 23 November 2021, after which he requested affidavits from the persons directly involved so that he could take action. After receiving legal advice and meeting with the complainants, Winde said there was enough information to suspend Fritz forthwith. He indicated that further details on the matter would be released once the external investigator had been appointed.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24

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