Former Mayor back in the dock

Former Endumeni Mayor, Thandeka Nukani, will be back in Court on February 29 on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
She will appear in the Newcastle Regional Court. The charge date back to after trade unionist, Grishen Bujram, was shot dead in Sibongile in June 2007.
Her boyfriend, Bongani Shangase, is currently serving out a lengthy jail sentence at Kokstad Prison for shooting dead Mr Bujram.
Her nephew, Siyabonga Nukani, was sentenced to 20 years for his role in the murder and has since turned state witness.

Ms Nukani is being charged, along with her then-driver, Peter Khumalo, for allegedly trying to pass on poison to Siyabonga while he was imprisoned.

Charges against the two were eventually withdrawn because a witness withdrew their evidence.
However, following several months of lobbying the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Shirley, Grishen’s widow, managed to convince prosecutors to open the case again, and Nukani was arrested early last month.

She appeared in the Dundee Regional Court on January 20 on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
NPA spokesperson, Natasha Kara, confirmed that Ms Nukani had been recharged with attempted murder and conspiracy over the poisoning attempt and would appear in court with Shangase.
Advocate Edward Khuzwayo, chief prosecutor in the Northern Cluster, said on February 29 dockets would be made available to the defence. Shirley is expected to attend the hearing.