BARBERTON – Former MEC for human settlements, Siphosezwe Masango, and two of his former bodyguards’ new year will be off to a bad start as they are expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court next Tuesday, January 13.
Masango, together with Mancoba Victor Nketjane and Sammy Sthembiso Mthombothi, will face charges of assault and intimidation.
The three last appeared on October 7 last year when magistrate Phindile Mlotshwa postponed their case.
They are accused of attacking motorist Gert van der Merwe (39) at the Nkomazi Toll Plaza near Malalane on July 9, 2012, after he allegedly confronted the guards about their reckless driving.
After the attack, Van der Merwe laid a charge at Kaapmuiden Police Station and the case was transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate as the bodyguards were employed by the South African Police Service.
Earlier ANC provincial secretary, Lucky Ndinisa had told the media that the party would conduct an internal investigation into the matter.
“The ANC will launch an internal investigation regarding the case levelled against Masango, but for now we treat him as innocent until proven guilty by a court of law,” said Ndinisa.
The premier David Mabuza sacked Masango in February last year and he was replaced by Andries Gamede after he had failed to meet a target of housing units that 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.
