Kaunda Selisho

By Kaunda Selisho

Journalist


Man arrested for Senzo Meyiwa murder to sue Bheki Cele

Zamokuhle Mbatha wants the state to pay for his unlawful arrest.


Zamokuhle Mbatha has filed a suit against Police Minister Bheki Cele and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for wrongful arrest and defamation of character after he was arrested and detained back in 2014.

According to the Daily Sun, the papers were filed in the High Court in Johannesburg on May 13.

RELATED: Bheki Cele warns Senzo Meyiwa’s killers

Mbatha, who was 25 at the time, appeared in Boksburg Magistrate’s Court after being positively identified by a witness following an identity parade.

Speaking to the publication, his lawyer Xolani Ndwandwe said his client’s dignity and safety were put on the line and he lost his job while he was in jail.

He added that he believed his client had a strong case at this stage.

The police minister’s spokesperson, Reneilwe Serero, said: “Cele was not the minister when Mbatha was arrested in 2014, but I’m not saying whether we will challenge this in court. The minister’s office is still consulting the legal team about it.”

READ NEXT: Timeline: The hunt for Senzo Meyiwa’s killer(s)

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

Read more on these topics

Bheki Cele Senzo Meyiwa

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.