Two members of the Inkatha Freedom Party’s top brass will be in court this week, facing two counts each of conspiracy to commit murder.
READ MORE HERE: JUST IN: Estcourt IFP Councillor and two others arrested for murder plot
Inkatha Freedom Party Councillor Mthembeni Majola, Endumeni (Dundee) Local Municipality Mayor Richard Mbatha and alleged hit man Xolani Makhathini were arrested at the end of May after an alleged plot to assassinate Endumeni council Speaker Bongiwe Mbatha and security tender recipient Mofat Mosia emerged.
The three men appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on May 31 and June 1 for a formal bail application. It started as a seemingly strong case from State Prosecutor Ms Zungu who read out Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Milton Mandla Ndlovu’s affidavit, which detailed alleged meetings, conversations and promises of lucrative tender payments if the assassin plot succeeded.
READ THIS: UPDATE: Estcourt’s IFP councillor Mthembeni Majola arrested for conspiracy to murder
The court heard how the men, unbeknown to them, were accompanied by an undercover agent to a planning meeting allegedly held in Dundee between Mr Majola and Mr Mbatha.
Further conversations between the pair as well as the alleged hit man were detailed and swift arrests followed. During the bail application, the defence teams for the accused argued that the Investigating Officer’s affidavit was merely a ‘fairy tale’ substantiating that it was riddled with inconsistencies.
ALSO READ: IFP councillor Mthembeni Majola, Endumeni Mayor and co-accused set to appear in court today
In a surprise move, State Prosecutor withdrew the intent to oppose bail on day two of the bail application hearing. Magistrate Sam Mpungose granted all three accused bail of R2 000 with conditions.
The matter is set to resume today. Keep up with our social media pages to get updates as the case unfolds.
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