CAPE TOWN, Tuesday 20 October 2026 — Democratic Alliance (DA) Ward 108 candidate Rudi Stevens has acknowledged assaulting his former wife and defended his decision to seek public office after a video of the 2021 incident resurfaced during the final weeks of campaigning for the local government elections.
Stevens, who is contesting the ward covering parts of Blue Downs and Mfuleni, told CapeTalk on Tuesday that he regretted his conduct and believed he had changed.
His comments follow criticism of the DA’s decision to retain him as a candidate despite the circulation of footage appearing to show him physically assaulting his then-wife.
The controversy has raised questions about political candidate screening, rehabilitation and the standards expected of people seeking public office.
Stevens acknowledges wrongdoing
During an interview with CapeTalk presenter Lester Kiewit, Stevens accepted responsibility for his conduct.
He said he was ashamed of what had happened and had subsequently sought counselling.
Stevens maintained that he had reflected on his behaviour and undertaken work intended to help others affected by violence.
He described himself as a changed person and said he wanted to use his experiences to encourage men and young people to seek assistance rather than resort to violence.
Stevens also referred to his involvement with community organisations and programmes addressing gender-based violence.
However, his claims of rehabilitation have been challenged by his former wife and community members.
Former wife disputes rehabilitation claims
The video resurfaced earlier this month, prompting renewed scrutiny of Stevens’s candidacy.
Regional publication TygerBurger reported that Stevens’s former wife disputed claims that he had changed and alleged that the 2021 assault was not an isolated incident.
She alleged that other incidents had occurred in 2013 and 2017.
Those additional allegations have not been established through a criminal conviction in the reporting reviewed.
During Tuesday’s interview, Stevens acknowledged that his former wife remained hurt by what had happened.
He apologised for his conduct but maintained that he had taken steps to change his behaviour.
The former couple’s accounts differ concerning the extent of their reconciliation and their relationship following the incident.
DA defends candidate selection
The DA has defended its decision to continue supporting Stevens.
DA Cape Town metro chairperson JP Smith previously described Stevens’s conduct as unacceptable but argued that people should be given opportunities to reform.
Smith pointed to Stevens’s subsequent involvement in community work, emergency response and programmes addressing violence against women.
The party said it believed that rehabilitation and conduct following an incident should be considered when assessing a person’s suitability for public office.
However, the controversy has prompted questions about what information the DA considered before approving Stevens as its Ward 108 candidate.
Community representatives have called for greater transparency concerning the party’s candidate-vetting procedures.
Questions over previous criminal case
According to earlier reporting by Weekend Argus and TygerBurger, a criminal case was opened following the 2021 incident but was subsequently withdrawn.
The available reporting does not establish that Stevens was convicted in connection with the assault.
However, the withdrawal of criminal proceedings does not itself determine whether the underlying conduct occurred.
Stevens’s acknowledgment of wrongdoing during Tuesday’s interview is separate from the outcome of the earlier criminal case.
The DA has maintained that its candidate selection procedures require applicants to disclose criminal records and matters that could bring the party into disrepute.
The party has not announced that Stevens has been withdrawn or replaced as its Ward 108 candidate.
Candidate suitability becomes election issue
The controversy comes ahead of the 4 November local government elections, when political parties are asking voters to assess their candidates’ leadership and integrity.
Stevens has argued that his experiences could help him support families and communities affected by violence.
He has also defended his involvement in programmes intended to address harmful behaviour among men.
Critics have questioned whether those activities sufficiently address the concerns raised by his former wife and the video.
The dispute highlights the distinction between a person’s legal eligibility to contest an election and the political judgment involved in selecting candidates.
Stevens remains on ballot
Stevens continues to defend his candidacy, while the DA has maintained its support for him.
No formal decision to withdraw his nomination was established during Tuesday’s review.
The controversy places the candidate’s conduct and the party’s selection standards before voters in Ward 108.
With the election approaching, any further disciplinary action or change to Stevens’s candidacy would represent a significant development.
For now, the DA’s position remains that Stevens should be allowed to contest the election, while questions concerning his rehabilitation and suitability for public office remain part of the local campaign.
