MBOMBELA – The public-violence and arson case against a Mpumalanga ward councillor, a member of Mbombela’s mayoral committee and six Mataffin community members, was transferred from the city’s District Court to the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday.
The eight were apprehended after three houses and a tuck shop were allegedly set on fire in Mataffin. According to residents, the accused set the properties on fire to express their anger at an alleged illegal land sale. Property in the area that was subject to a land claim in favour of the Mdluli Trust, was reportedly sold wrongfully.
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The new owners established themselves on the land. One of them, Mr Thomas Mahlalela, previously said that he couldn’t describe the horror he faced when his house with all his belongings burnt to the ground.
“I’ve lost everything. I’ve lost my home and all of my things,” he said. Messrs Kenneth Mkhonto, Jerry Siboza, Frazer Nyoni, Bongani Mabunda, Wonder Phuri, Nomcebo Mashelo, Dumisani Makhubela and Ms Constance Maseko were released on R1 000 bail each in July this year. The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Mr Collen Sedibe said the party had sided with the victims of the alleged arson. He welcomed Tuesday’s transfer of the case to a higher court. “To us, this is great news. It means that the case is progressing. Justice is at work,” he said.
