Mayor Richard Mbatha has strongly denied allegations that he and his bodyguards assaulted a man in central Dundee late on Friday night.
It was alleged that Njabulo Magubane (31) who works at the local cemetery was pistol-whipped and kicked while walking home with a friend after 11pm on Friday.
His mother, Thobisile Zulu, who is also employed at Endumeni Municipality, claimed that the Mayoral vehicle, the Ford Everest, turned in front of them near the intersection of McKenzie and Cornhill Streets.
“The Mayor’s driver and bodyguards confronted Njabulo and assaulted him.
“They even pulled a gun. The Mayor joined in the assault. We are not sure why this happened as my son is not involved in politics.”
She said another friend who passed the scene in a vehicle stopped and took photos. “Thereafter, the Mayor and his people left and Njabulo was taken to hospital. His face is badly swollen and he is cut and bruised. We also fear that there may be long-term damage and he has to go for a brain scan.”
Ms Zulu said they will be opening charges of grievous bodily harm.

However, Mayor Mbatha described the claims as totally untrue.

“Firstly, they have the location of where this so-called assault happened wrong.

“I was returning home on Friday from Majuba College where there had been student council elections. When we drove up Victoria Street, in the vicinity of the Royal Country Inn, we spotted a man surrounded by a group of other men and he was being assaulted.
“As a Mayor, I know I must help everyone in this community I serve so we stopped and jumped out to assist. By then I saw that the man had been injured. “Everyone appeared to be intoxicated and it was a chaotic scene.

“We tried to help the victim and there was also a man in a vehicle who arrived at the scene whom we believe is from Dannhauser. After that, everyone left and drove towards Jeff’s Service Station. We then left for home. To now receive these allegations that my bodyguards and I were responsible for assaulting this man is very disappointing. Why would I ever do that when I am supposed to be protecting people? Clearly, there must be an agenda behind these allegations.”

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