Former Mayor, Thandeka Nukani, will appear in the Newcastle Regional Court on August 12 on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
It stems from the gunning down of Grishen Bujram in June 2007 in Sibongile. Mr Bujram, ANC activist and trade unionist, was said to have uncovered a RDP housing scam ago.
Ms Nukani was eventually acquitted on a charge of murder but is now appearing for allegedly trying to have her nephew, Siyabonga Nukani, murdered in jail for turning state witness against her.
Ms Nukani, now number four on the ANC list for the Endumeni municipality in the August 3 election.
However, she was arrested earlier this year for trying to have her nephew and former co-accused, Siyabonga, poisoned in Waterval Prison near Utrecht.
Siyabonga was jailed for 20 years for his role in Bujram’s murder. He turned witness against his aunt’s boyfriend, Bongani Shangase.
Ms Nukani was since redeployed to the Mayor’s office in the Umzinyathi municipality, under which Endumeni and Dundee fall.
She was accused of conspiring to murder Mr Bujram killing on the basis of statements from Siyabonga and the alleged hit man, Mzamo Majola, of Colenso.
Majola was given bail and has not been since. Rumours are that he may be dead. Ms Nukani was then acquitted as Majola’s evidence was central to confirming her involvement in the conspiracy.
After her acquittal on murder charges, Ms Nukani was arrested for a second time for allegedly trying to have Siyabonga poisoned in jail to stop him giving evidence in her murder case.
Her driver, Peter Khumalo, was also arrested for the poison plot, but it is understood that new evidence came to light, and she was then re-arrested and charged again.
Mr Bujram’s widow, Shirley, told the Courier that she will continue fighting for justice even though she ‘has been undermined at every turn. “I will fight for justice until I have achieved the result that I want, even if it means losing my life to do so. My three children and I want justice to be served, and closure.”
The trial has been set for one day.