EVANDER – The public prosecutor of Evander Magistrate’s Court, Mr Tumelo Malesa, and a policeman from eMbalenhle Police Station, Const Justice Maleka, were arrested in connection with corruption in November and appeared in court a few times on these charges.
In a ruling on 11 November, the chairman of a disciplinary hearing constituted to look into misconduct and corruption charges against Mr Malesa, declared the prosecutor’s suspension invalid.
The suspects apparently solicited money from a housebreaking suspect who was arrested in October and whose case was withdrawn.
A Johannesburg lawyer, Mr Theo Mapehto, is representing Mr Malesa.
He said: “My client has been vindicated.
“I have always argued that the flimsy allegations serve only to tarnish my client’s reputation.
“I have instructions to pursue avenues for a legal recourse.”
Mr Mapheto, who also represents Const Maleka, is confident that the charges against both accused will not stick.
“I will tear to pieces any so-called evidence presented against my clients.
“My aim will be to expose the shenanigans that have led to this situation.
“My clients’ rights to be presumed innocent until a court finds otherwise have been trampled upon with impunity.”
The two accused will again appear in court on 4 March.
