DA, IFP and ANC supporters arrived early at the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court this morning to witness the first court appearance of the three ANC members who were arrested by the Hawks for corruption yesterday.
Vryheid SAPS had to be called to the court to control the large mob demanding to be let in.
ANC leader, Zakhele (Zakes) Buthelezi, ANC whip, Maria Mabaso, AbaQulusi Exco member, Cllr NN Mdlalose, appeared in C court this morning, which was full to capacity.
Magistrate Ellen Gropp, who presided over the proceedings, agreed that the charge was a schedule 1 offence.
State prosecutor, André Symington, did not object to bail as all three accused have no previous convictions and their permanent physical addresses within the Vryheid district have been confirmed.
They were granted R7 500 bail each on condition that they do not communicate with, or attempt to intimidate, Cllr Magda Viktor.
Cllr Viktor of the DA reported the ANC members’ alleged intention to bribe her to vote with them in a vote of no confidence against the IFP speaker, allowing the Hawks to make the arrest just after R20 000 was paid over to her at Vryheid Junction yesterday.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: High-Ranking ANC Members In Vryheid Arrested After Paying A Bribe To DA Councillor
The case was postponed to January 16, to allow for the investigation to be completed. All three accused are being represented by Durban based attorney, Ravindra Maniklall.
This article has been corrected. It initially incorrectly named Cllr NY Mdlalose as one of the accused, when in fact it was Cllr NN Mdlalose who was arrested. We apologise to Cllr NY Mdlalose.
