Newcastle KZN: Mahlaba appears in court facing an array of criminal charges

Newcastle mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, appeared in the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on Monday (July 26) facing charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, malicious injury to property, theft and incitement of violence.

The charges relate to an incident which occurred on September 2020, where Njabulo Mabaso, Sgananda Shezi and Mahlaba allegedly assaulted employees of a fibre subcontractor.

The case was transferred to the Regional Court and Mahlaba will reappear in court on August 16.

Newcastle Municipality spokesperson, Mlungisi Khumalo, refuted media reports which stated that Mahlaba was arrested, saying, “He was summoned to present himself to court over an allegation which was made against him.”

Head of Newcastle’s Detectives Unit, Col Alexander, explained that there is more than one way to ensure an accused makes his appearance in court. While Mahlaba was not taken into custody, nor did he spend any time in a jail cell, he was issued with a summons to appear in court by July 26.

Dr Mahlaba reported to the police on the morning of July 26, and he was processed and thereafter, he was charged in court.

“As a law-abiding citizen, the mayor swiftly presented himself in court yesterday (July 26). The mayor also views the allegation as malicious, frivolous and without substance,” added Khumalo.

“He also looks forward to going to court to clear his name, so that he can ultimately distance himself from the said allegation. In the interim, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba continues to serve the residents of Newcastle and pleads with people to allow the law to take its course.”

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser on sale from Thursday, July 29.

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