Murder charge against mayor withdrawn
The state withdrew a charge of murder against Harry Gwala district municipality mayor Mluleki Ndobe in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Ndobe, Sbonelo Myeza, 39, Mbulelo Mpofana, 34, and Zweliphansi Skhosana, 48, were charged with the 2017 murder of ANC Youth League general secretary Sindiso Magaqa, after the state previously alleged that they had acted in common purpose in having premeditated the murder of Magaqa.
They also face two counts of attempted murder.
According to the charge sheet, the second and third counts relate to the attempted murder of Jabulile Msiya and Nontsikelelo Mafa on July 13 2017, the same day Magaqa was gunned down.
The four were expected to make a formal bail application on Monday and Tuesday.
However, after lunch, control prosecutor Sohana Moodley informed the court that the state was withdrawing one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder against Ndobe and Skhosana.
The case was postponed until Tuesday for a formal bail application for the remaining two men. Following the decision, Ndobe briefly addressed the media.
“I am not prepared to say anything about the case,” Ndobe said.
“I have mixed feelings. I am relieved, but at the same time I am very emotional and very angry about it.
“I can be accused of anything, but definitely not murder or conspiracy to commit murder.”
He said he would consult his lawyers, as well as the leadership of the ANC, and would then issue a statement.
Meanwhile, Newcastle mayor Ntuthuko Mhlaba will remain behind bars following his first appearance in the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Mhlaba was arrested on Friday in connection with the 2017 murder of former ANC Youth League official Wandile Ngobeni.
The matter was postponed to April 1 for a formal bail application and Mhlaba will remain in custody until then.
Mhlaba is a medical doctor who was sworn in as mayor in February.
ANC provincial spokesperson Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said the party would call a media briefing on Tuesday to discuss the arrests of Mhlaba and Ndobe. –