The trial involving uMhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi continued at the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where the defence began leading evidence in its case.

Zululand Observer reports Ngwezi took the stand and confirmed that he had participated in an interview with a 1KZN TV journalist, which was probed following accusations made by the two complainants in a prior interview.

The mayor was charged last year, facing charges of crimen injuria and defamation of character, stemming from remarks made during the interview, which aired on March 11, 2025 on 1KZN TV.

Allegations linked to televised interview

During his testimony, Ngwezi stated that during that interview he had been responding to allegations made by the first complainant, Cyril Paton, who had accused him of corruption, attempting to extort money from a city contract, and intimidation.

Ngwezi denied calling Paton an ex-convict or corrupt.

He acknowledged using the words ‘ex-convict’ and ‘corrupt’ during the interview but maintained that he was referring to someone else, not Paton.

He added that his comment that Paton ‘must smell his armpits’ related to an incident in which Paton allegedly recorded him without his knowledge and later approached several media outlets with the information.

”I wanted him to know that there was something he did wrong,” Ngwezi told the court.

He added that he was simply responding to the journalist’s questions.

Political context and second complainant

Addressing the second charge laid by complainant Phiwo Mhlongo, Ngwezi confirmed that he knew Mhlongo from their time as students at the University of Zululand, where they belonged to different political parties.

He said they later both served as councillors at the City of uMhlathuze.

Ngwezi told the court that the term ‘corrupt’ is commonly used in political discourse and should not be taken personally.

”There are many who call others corrupt. It is a common term used in the political arena, and politicians should have a thick skin,” he said.

”It’s not only the complainant who has called me corrupt. Many others have done so on social media, and I did not open a case against him, even though he called me corrupt.”

He further clarified that referring to Mhlongo as ‘a young man’ was not intended to be disrespectful.

The trial is set to continue next Thursday.

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