A case against City of Mbombela Local Municipality councillor, Mandla Mamba was struck of the roll at Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Mamba and three friends were arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning after it was alleged that members of the SAPS from Mbombela had found live ammunition at his house at Extension 11, Emjindini.
The ammunition was allegedly discovered on top of the roof.
Read: Mamba launches venomous attack against local police
According to Mamba supporters, it remains a mystery how the police knew where the ammunition was hidden.
Soon after Mamba supporters heard of the arrests, they staged a peaceful protest outside Barberton Police Station and demanded their release, claiming they had been framed.
The local police station is undergoing renovation and all detainees, including Mamba, were at the Mbombela Police Station cells.
• Mamba and four co-accused are granted bail
Brig Leonard Hlathi said the court struck the case off the roll because the ammunition that was found could not be linked to anyone.
“Police received a tip-off that there was something suspicious at the house of the suspect. When they arrived at his house, they found live ammunition on top of the suspect’s roof. But the court has since not placed the case on the roll,” said Hlathi.
Mamba, who is a lawyer by profession, had in the past told the media that there were certain individuals who were out to tarnish his image. Previously he had been stabbed and shot. Mamba could not be reached for comment.
After his case was struck off the roll, he posted on Facebook, “One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed and led by stupids who have no regard for the liberation of the people.
This is also caused by the intelligent academics who cannot adapt to local or branch politics. As such self-proclaimed pseudo-intellectuals continue to be in charge. We only see intellectuals on TV and hear them via SAFM, but where are these people in branches.”
Mamba and his four accused, Sihle Nkambule (24), Sabelo Mlotshwa (20), Themba Mwali (33) and Gift Mnisi (25), will appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on December 2 on charges of malicious damage to property and theft of a firearm.
Mamba and Mnisi are out on bail of R10 000 while Nkambule, Mlothswa and Mwali are out on R500 bail each.
