The Freedom Front Plus has announced Bill Harington as its mayoral candidate for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, sparking debate over his past. Harington, a former apartheid-era police officer, was convicted of murder in 1991 for his role in the killing of ANC activist Mbongeni Jama. He was 21 years old at the time and served 13 years and 10 months in prison. The FF Plus says it has been aware of his conviction since he joined the party.
Harington's conviction was based on his role as section head of a unit of young Inkatha special constables. One of the constables under his command shot Jama with a shotgun at close range. Although Harington did not pull the trigger, he was held accountable for the killing. During the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) proceedings, Harington apologized to Jama's parents and family. The TRC found no evidence that Harington and his co-accused had acted on instructions from higher command.
The FF Plus says Harington has been rehabilitated and is dedicated to making a contribution towards a better South Africa. MP and chairperson Wouter Wessels stated that the party had known about Harington's conviction for years and had assessed his case individually. Wessels said Harington had served his sentence, apologized to Jama's family, and demonstrated remorse. The party conducts criminal record checks on its candidates and assesses each case on its own merits.
Wessels questioned why Harington's criminal record had suddenly become an issue ahead of the local government elections. He said there was no reason to exclude Harington and punish him for the rest of his life, as he had already faced retribution. Harington was selected as a candidate in 2021 and served as a councillor in Nelson Mandela Bay. He was again placed in the number one position on the party's list for the upcoming election.
Analysts have questioned the FF Plus's decision to field Harington as its mayoral candidate. Independent political analyst Goodenough Mashego said he did not believe the FF Plus stood much chance of winning in Nelson Mandela Bay. However, he noted that Harington's nomination could draw attention to gaps in South Africa's electoral legislation. Mashego pointed to other politicians who have served prison sentences before entering public office.
Political analyst Dr. Bernard Sebake questioned how the FF Plus would convince voters that Harington had been rehabilitated and was ready to lead the community. Sebake said the issue was particularly sensitive because of Harington's involvement in an apartheid-era killing. He noted that voters were primarily concerned with issues such as jobs, safety, and basic service delivery.
Sebake also noted that serving a criminal sentence did not generally result in a permanent ban from democratic participation. Restrictions could apply while a person was still serving a sentence or under correctional supervision, but once officially released and integrated into society, a person could participate in democratic processes. The FF Plus's decision to field Harington as its mayoral candidate has raised questions about whether people who have served their sentences should continue to face restrictions on political participation.
Key points
- The Freedom Front Plus's mayoral candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, Bill Harington, is a former apartheid-era police officer convicted of murder in 1991.
- Harington served 13 years and 10 months in prison and has since been rehabilitated, according to the FF Plus.
- The FF Plus's decision to field Harington as its mayoral candidate has raised questions about gaps in South Africa's electoral legislation and whether people who have served their sentences should face restrictions on political participation.
