UPDATE: Ward councillor and 4 others released on bail
Kenneth Mkhonto Ward 14 Councillor was arrested on Wednesday along with four other accused.
UPDATE: The five people who appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday March 14, were released on bail today following proceedings on Thursday after they were charged with public violence.
Vusi Mamba (39), Mfundo Mlimi (28), Sipho Ngutshane (26), Lucky Sithole (40) and Kenneth Mkhonto (43) were granted R500 bail each under the strict condition that they all must report themselves to the White River police station every Friday at 16:00.
Magistrate Mnaledi said that the state could not prove the alleged pending cases against Mlimi and Mkhonto and therefore they were granted bail.
“The state also said that they were going to make more arrests in this case, so why would we keep these five here,” Mnaledi said.
She also questioned the validity of the state’s claim to refuse bail to Mkhonto as they said he would intimidate other witnesses in the case. “He handed himself over to the police and therefore I believe he is not a flight risk.”
The trail will commence on May 11.
Also read: EFF intimidates Lowvelder reporters at court
MBOMBELA – Five people appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of public violence.
According to a statement released by SAPS provincial spokesman, Col Mtsholi Bhembe their court appearance followed their alleged involvement in the torching of a centre that used to serve as an orphanage for destitute children.
Also read: BREAKING NEWS: Students of University of Mpumalanga refuse to leave the campus
Bhembe said that the protesters started by barricading the R40 between Mbombela and White River using burning tyres and debris. Police had to disperse them before reopening the road.
The five arrested – Vusi Mamba (39), Mfundo Mlimi (28), Sipho Ngutshane (26), Lucky Sithole (40) and Kenneth Mkhonto (43) – were remanded in custody until Friday 16 March pending further investigation.
In an attempt to address the arrest of Mkhonto, a small group of residents of Ward 14 protested outside the gates of the Mbombela Civic Centre on Wednesday demanding his release.
Also read: Student protesters close gates at University of Mpumalanga
“As the SAPS we know and appreciate the right that people have to protest, but that should be done within the ambit and prescripts of the law. Any act of criminality shall be dealt with accordingly without any fear, favour or prejudice,” said Bhembe.
“The provincial commissioner for the police, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma urges people to follow the correct procedures before and during any protest action. He also believes that these sentences will serve as a deterrent to other would-be protesters,” he concluded.
Also read: Wife charged with conspiracy to kill husband
