Charges against murder accused are withdrawn

Criminal charges against murder accused, Philani Thwala, were withdrawn at the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Thwala was in custody in connection with the murders of ANC leader, Martin Sithole, and Sithole’s close friend, Buthanani Shange, who were gunned down on Voortrekker Street on May 12.

Last Monday, Mduduzi Masuku, an attorney from Vryheid-based law firm, BM Thusini Attorneys, represented Thwala in court, stating he was standing in for Advocate Gareth Leppan.

Thwala’s bail application was scheduled to take place on July 25, but was subsequently cancelled when charges were dropped.

Last week, the court had undertaken to seek the services of an out-of-town magistrate to preside over the bail application, due to the sensitivity of the case.

This week, Senior Prosecutor, Brandon van Staden, confirmed the charges were withdrawn, but said he was unable to comment as to why.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Natasha Kara, as well as spokesperson for the Political Killings Task Team which reports to Bheki Cele, Reneilwe Sorero, were both contacted for comment, but none was received at the time of print.

After Sithole was killed, Sorero confirmed that he was supposed to have been a witness in the murder case against Newcastle Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba.

Dr Mahlaba will make his next court appearance, in connection with the murder of ANC Youth League leader, Wandile Ngubane, at the Madadeni Court on August 15, when the Department of Public Prosecutions is expected to announce whether it has decided to drop the charges, or to proceed to trial.

During a public address following his last court appearance, Dr Mahlaba confidently claimed to have gathered sufficient evidence to prove the charges against him were fabricated by an opposing ANC faction.

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