BARBERTON – A trial date has been set for former human settlements MEC Siphosezwe Masango and his two bodyguards.
Masango and his bodyguards, Mancoba Victor Nkentjane and Sammy Sthembiso Mthombothi, who faced charges of assault and intimidation, appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
In a session of less than a minute, Magistrate Phindile Mlothswa set the trial for next January.
“The trial date is set for January 13, 2014. This will be communicated to your defence lawyers together on the charges you were arrested on,” on Mlotshwa.
Soon after the announcement, all three men left the court, evading the media.
The three are accused of attacking motorist Gert van der Merwe at the Nkomazi Toll Plaza near Malalane on July 9, 2012, after he allegedly confronted the guards about their reckless driving.
Van der Merwe laid charges of assault at Kaapmuiden Police Station and the case was transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate as the bodyguards work under the South African Police Service.
Masango was sacked as MEC in February and was replaced by Andries Gamede after he failed to meet a target of housing units his department was expected to deliver in the 2012/13 financial year.
The target was 10 980 and Masango’s department only delivered 3 900 throughout the province.
