The accused in the alleged conspiracy to murder former Mtubatuba, KZN, mayor Thobelani Verus Ngcamphalala was found not guilty on Friday.

The Mtubatuba Regional Court also found the accused, Zakhele Thokozani Dlamini, not guilty on a count of corruption, for allegedly offering money to the state’s sole witness, former accused Kingdom of eSwatini national Nhlanhla Maseko.

Dlamini welcomed the judgment, which heavily criticised the state for relying solely on Maseko’s evidence, which it failed to corroborate.

“I thank the court for this decision. It proves that once the truth comes out, lies no longer have a place,” said Dlamini outside court.

Advocate Moyomuhle J Mthiyanex, for Dlamini, said he is happy that in the end, justice was served.

“Justice prevailed because sometimes people are falsely arrested or accused, and such a judgment makes us happy as lawyers,” said Mthiyane.

Magistrate Zungu found that the state failed to prove Dlamini’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt on both counts.

Zungu also discharged Maseko of the charge of conspiracy to murder, stating it had been found that he had testified frankly.

Dlamini had pleaded not guilty to both counts.

The former third accused in the matter, Zakhele Nelson Khanyile, was fatally gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Macekane on February 1, 2023.

Dlamini, a self-described tenderprenuer, was arrested on November 9, 2021, for allegedly conspiring with others during September that year to murder Ngcamphalala.

Dlamini was denied bail and has been an awaiting-trial prisoner at Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni.