MBOMBELA – The 11 accused of a violent attack on the ANC ward councillor of Zwelisha B, were all found not guilty on public violence charges. After eight of them were discharged last year, the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court verdict of innocence for the remaining accused was announced on Friday.
Ward councillor Elizabeth Maziya claimed that Mr Promise Mashaba, Ms Marcia Ndlala, Mr Saina Milaze, Mr Oscar Mndawe, Mr Vincent Mdluli, Mr Khulisiwe Mashaba, Mr David Ntsanda, Mr Nthomfuthi Khoza, Ms Phindile Sekatane, Ms Celiwe Nkambule, Mr Innocent Nkosi and Ms Nthomifuthi Khoza ransacked her home on January 19, 2012.
The alleged attack followed after a community meeting during which the accused aired their concerns about Maziya’s performing of her duties and alleged favouritism when conducting new political appointments in the ward.
Following the presentation of photographic evidence by the state, magistrate Ms Venessa Joubert granted the discharge of eight of the accused last year. This was due to the lack of prima-facie evidence against them.
Last Friday Nkambule, Nkosi and Khoza were found not guilty of committing public violence. According to the group’s spokesman, Mashaba, this was also due to the lack of evidence against the three.
“The state presented some evidence, but it couldn’t link the accused to the crimes,” he said.
Mashaba maintained that the group’s non-violent protest was based on valid complaints. “We believe that the ward councillor is corrupt and we needed to take a stand against it. We are satisfied with the court’s conclusion as our protest did not amount to public violence.”
