MMC of vital South African city arrested on drunk driving and assault charges out on bail

The City of Matlosana’s MMC for Economic Development and former spokesperson of the African National Congress’s (ANC’S) Youth League, Wesley Kgang, has been released on bail.

He appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrates Court on 26 January, facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, assault, resisting arrest, and malicious damage to property.

His case is postponed until 18 February 2026 to await blood sample results and potential charges to be added.

Newsday reported about the incident that occurred at around 6:30 am on 24 January during a routine road safety operation on Leask Street in Klerksdorp.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sam Tselanyane, told Newsday that police spotted a black sedan vehicle in Leask Street, driving while facing the oncoming traffic.

A female traffic official stopped and approached the driver, who appeared to be under the influence of liquor, said Tselanyane.

Furthermore, upon being interviewed about his actions and informed of his arrest by the officials, he became aggressive and started to attack the female officials, said the spokesperson.

In a widely publicised video, Kgang can be seen shouting that he “could never be arrested.”

It was then that male officials tried to intervene, and resistance escalated until SAPS were called and the suspect was restrained. A female official sustained an injury on her left hand.

Allegedly, while on the way to the health facility to draw blood samples, the suspect hit and broke the window of the traffic vehicle.

Kgang was eventually taken to Stilfontein Health Centre to draw blood and resistance continued. He was ultimately taken to SAPS Stilfontein and a blood sample was taken from him.

Matlosana mayoral spokesperson, Nick Mapheelle, told Newsday that the mayor, Fikile Mahlophe, is “still applying his mind on the matter.”

“The matter is currently before the courts and the mayor needs to let the legal avenues unfold,” he said.

Kgang apologises

Following his release, Kgang posted an apology, with the City of Matlosana posting a link on their social media to a radio interview titled “public apology.”

“I have noted the video that has went viral and widely shared on various media platforms. Which has caused great concern, rightly so, given the fact that I am a public representative,” said Kgang.

He said that the circumstances and facts surrounding the incident were ventilated in a competent court of law.

“I wish to unreservedly apologise to the community of Matlosana, my family and my organisation for the unfortunate occurrence,” said Kgang.

“I further wish to categorically state that I will fully cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and the justice system to establish the facts surrounding the incident.”

“No one is above the law, including myself as a public representative, hence my willingness to fully cooperate and abide by the legal processes that will ensue pertaining to this matter.”

The MMC added that he is “a mere human-being like anyone else with fallibility, which I take full responsibility for and commit to do better in my conduct henceforth.”