Sbu Ndebele’s charges to be dropped – report

Charges against Ndebele are set to be dropped after he had a meeting with president Jacob Zuma to discuss political interference in his case.

According to City Press, three senior sources have confirmed how a minister was asked to intervene between the defense and prosecution to avert embarrassment. Ndebele is facing 15 charges related to corruption and bribery together with co-accused former transport director general George Mahlalela, deputy director general Gilbert Thwala, official Tebogo Mputi, businessman Sibusisio Ncube and Tasima.

The newspaper reports how the department of transport was under pressure to have Ndebele and his co-accused arrested to strengthen a civil case against a company, Tasima as the department wanted to take over the management of the multi-million rand eNatis system.

Pressure was exerted by the Hawks, Naional Director of Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams, Road Traffic Management Corporation CEO Makhosini Msibi and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Ndebele, who is now the high commissioner to Australia apparently met Zuma at his official residence in Pretoria. Zuma is said to have empathised with Ndebele and assisted in arranging for a senior minister to mediate in the dropping of the charges.

Spokesperson for the presidency Bongani Nqulunga said it was a lie that Zuma had met with Ndebele.

“The president has no knowledge about the allegations being made about the case of Sibusiso Ndebele. It is all a total fabrication.”

City Press also details how emails between senior Hawks , NPA and NDPP officials form part of evidence displaying how certain officials were pushing for Ndebele’s arrest despite the investigation not being complete.

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