Mayor Richard Mbatha is currently testifying at his bail application in the Estcourt Court. He and Estcourt Councillor, Mthembeni Majola and the alleged hitman, Xolani ‘Shorty’ Makhathini are charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder.

It is alleged he conspired to assassinate Council Speaker,  Bongiwe Mbatha-Makhathini, and the head of a security company.

Speaking very softly, Mayor Mbatha told the Court that he is the sole breadwinner for this family and supports his elderly parents who are 78 and 74 year old and his three children, aged 1, 5 and 8, are solely dependent on him.

VIDEO OF MAYOR TAKING THE DOCK ALONG WITH THE OTHER TWO ACCUSED IN THE ESTCOURT COURT

He told the Court he has no previous convictions or pending charges and does not constitute a flight risk as he does not have a passport.

He was arrested on the night of May 23 and he maintained that he had co-operated with the police and attended an ID parade on May 29. He intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

He further added that his incarceration is affecting the running of the Endumeni Municipality which has been unable to pass to pass the budget and would be seen as  non-compliant by Cogta and Treasury.

Mayor Mbatha opined that he deals with the political (oversight) role at municipality and not administrative, would not have access to tenders. The allegation is that the Speaker suspected undue interference with the awarding of a housing tender and that’s when the plot to kill her was hatched. The Court has now adjourned for lunch.

The matter has been declared a schedule 1 offence and the state is opposing bail.

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