NELSPRUIT – The former MEC for human settlements will stand trial for charges on assault early next year. Mr Siphosezwe Masango along with two of his bodyguards appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They are charged with allegedly assaulting Mr Gert van der Merwe last July. At the time, Masango was the MEC. He is now the head of government in the provincial legislature.
The incident apparently happened at the Nkomazi Toll Gate in 2012, after Van der Merwe had accused Masango and his bodyguards, Mr Sammy Mtomboti and Mr Manqoba Nkengane of driving recklessly.
The former MEC’s convoy was reportedly speeding along the N4 while recklessly overtaking fellow drivers. It has been reported that Van der Merwe apparently started hooting at them and was then supposedly assaulted.
Masango is thought to have hit him while Mtomboti and Nkengane sprayed him with tear gas. Two security guards working at the toll gate were allegedly also attacked when they tried to intervene.
The case has been postponed for trial to start on January 13.
