Mthonjaneni mayor in court for assault
The trio is out on bail and the trial was postponed to 18 April
Mthonjaneni Mayor Mbangseni Biyela and his two alleged accomplices accused of assaulting an ANC member appeared at Melmoth Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The mayor’s co-accused are Bafana Dube, who is employed at King Cetshwayo District Municipality, and Ward 4 Cllr Sibongiseni Mthimkhulu, who is also Mthonjaneni chief whip.
They are accused of assaulting ANC member Bhekuyise Nzuza in November during the Ward 5 by-election under Mthonjaneni Municipality.
The trio is out on bail and the trial was postponed to 18 April.
Nzuza (60) reports that on the day of the incident, he was going to the Manzawayo area with his wife. He said they took public transport from KwaMagwaza to the KwaNkosana area.
“When we arrived at the KwaNkosana area, there were a lot of people as the by-election was under way,” he said.
“While waiting for another taxi to take us to our destination, a minibus taxi with passengers stopped not far from us, and one of the occupants called me.
“When I went to her, she asked for directions to the house of the late King Cetshwayo District mayor, Nonhle Mkhulisi.
“While I was giving directions, one of the accused grabbed me from behind and accused me of busing people from Empangeni to cast their votes in that ward.
“He strangled me in front of my helpless wife, and the other two accused joined in. I was humiliated in front of my wife and the public. I tried to explain that I had nothing to do with the taxi and its occupants, but they would not listen.
“One of their bodyguards pulled out his gun and said I deserved to be killed. People must know that I was not part of the electorate because I reside in Ward 4, not in Ward 5.
“My crime was to give directions to that lady. It was the first time I saw her and I think she decided to talk to me as an elderly person. I decided not to report the matter to the police, hoping they would apologise, but they did not. I reported the matter after a few days,” said Nzuza.
Nzuza said he needs justice as he was accused and assaulted for a crime he did not commit.
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