Sinister plot to discredit Dr Mahlaba?

Is Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba’s, life in danger following a public undertaking to expose corruption at the Newcastle Municipality?

Are the charges levelled against him part of a sinister plot to discredit the man seeking to expose the culprits who looted the town’s coffers for years?

Or… Has Dr Mahlaba concocted these allegations to drum up sympathy from his supporters, as a means of deflecting attention from the charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, that may lead to his incarceration?

The answers to these questions depends on which ANC member you ask.

Bheki Cele, Arthur Zwane, Mafika Mndebele and Senzo Khumalo disgraced

The crowd of supporters chanting Dr Mahlaba’s name outside the Madadeni Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, believe that the mayor is being ‘set up’. The placards they displayed before the media, boldly displayed the names of ANC members they believe used their influence to exploit the municipality for self-enrichment.

“Senzo Khumalo pay back Phelindaba pool 22 million,” said one placard, referring to a municipal contract that had been awarded to the chairperson of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Emalahleni Region.

“Mafika the ghost councillor who stole tax payers money,” read another, referring to allegations that the regional secretary of the ANCYL was being paid a salary by the municipality, despite not being employed there.

“Arthur Zwane the biggest loser plots for Mahlaba,” read a third, referring to the former regional chairperson of the ANC, who stepped down from politics altogether, after having to relinquish his position to Dr Mahlaba.

“Cele stop dividing our region,” and “Cele the media demagogue come back to fix your mess,” read some of the other placards, alleging that former police minister, Bheki Cele, is part of the plot to discredit Dr Mahlaba.

Roaring cheer greets Mahlaba’s exit from court

Within the court, Dr Mahlaba made a brief appearance before Magistrate N Khuzwayo. His attorney, Advocate Bheki Manyathi, requested a postponement explaining that the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) had promised to send him copies of witness statements the defence required in order to make proper representation on Dr Mahlaba’s behalf.

“We were previously given copies of the evidence with the exception of these statements. We are unable to make representation in the darkness. Advocate Cyril Selepe from the DPP’s office confirmed that he has these statements, and undertook to email them to us today,” explained Adv Manyathi.

The case was postponed to July 9.

A roaring cheer greeted Dr Mahlaba as he exited the court alongside his wife.

A sound system was set up in anticipation of his public address in which he made it clear that he would not be stepping down from his position as mayor, despite a press release published by national media the previous day.

“I am the chairperson of the Emalahleni Region and I am not going anywhere. I am the mayor of Newcastle and I am not going anywhere.
Tomorrow, I will be at the council meeting to discuss the municipality’s budget.
We are dealing with corruption. Mafika and Arthur Zwane have run the municipality dry with illegal invoices. I know this for a fact,” claimed Dr Mahlaba.

“I also have information that Mafika and Arthur Zwane met with Bheki Cele. I am not afraid of no one. There have been many plots to take my life, but they have all failed. I have never killed anyone and I will never kill anyone. Arthur Zwane knows who killed Manqasha,” he continued.

“Bheki Cele is a drama queen. I am not afraid of him or anyone else. I am deployed by the ANC and I am still in the ANC.  He also called me at five to midnight threatening me, I was with my wife when that happened. When I was apprehended, they further took my phone and used it to call my brother-in-law instructing him of what he should say about me.When they are done, we will face them.”

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