Bloemfontein - A former MP and member of the Free State legislature has landed himself in hot water after CCTV footage showed him assaulting the owner of a petrol station.
Volksblad reported on Thursday that Tjheta Mofokeng stopped at the Bethlehem 1-Stop shop to buy airtime on Wednesday morning.
He could not load the airtime on his phone, and later returned to the shop. An employee then phoned the service provider, Vodacom, which told him that they were experiencing cellphone tower problems and the airtime would not load at the time.
He demanded his money back and the owner, Beyers Cronje, approached and tried to explain that he was not in a position to give him a refund for the airtime.
Mofokeng then hit Cronje in the face, causing his glasses to fall onto the floor.
According to Vrystaat newspaper, Mofokeng admitted slapping Cronje, saying he gave his money to 1-Stop and not Vodacom, and wanted 1-Stop to refund him.
Cronje told the newspaper that Mofokeng didn't give him a chance to properly explain the situation, and told him that he will regret this as he's "from the ANC".
Cronje reportedly said he will not let the matter rest, and Mofokeng said he was prepared to defend himself in court.