Jabu Mashamaite and co-accused not guilty
Jabu Mashamaite, the former Chairperson of Jomo Magopa Branch of Ward 29 and current Deputy Manager of Corporate Services Mogalakwena, as well as two other employees of the Mogalakwena Municipality were found not guilty on charges of assault to inflict serious bodily harm.
MOKOPANE – The ruling was made in the Magistrate’s Court in Mokopane on 17 July.
Mashamaite was accused of hitting Norman Baloyi with a panga, a golf stick and stabbing him with a knife.
Bosveld previously reported that a fight broke out at the taxi rank in extension 19 while they were busy with a campaign for community members to register for the elections. Irene Masingi, Spokesperson of the Mokopane Police, confirmed the police were called out just before 12:00 on Sunday morning, 27 January to the taxi rank in extension 19.
“A group of about 300 people had gathered at the taxi rank and started engaging in what appeared like factional fights. During the commotion, two people were stabbed and had to be hospitalised with serious injuries. The police arrested nine suspects aged between 18 and 44 for public violence.” Mashamaite was arrested on 27 January with R1 000 bail and the co-accused both received R2 000 each.
Mashamaite told Bosveld that he was first charged with public violence. But the case was withdrawn due to lack of evidence.
He was then charged with an assault case. He also states that there was no medical record that showed that the victim was stabbed. “Voortrekker Hospital’s doctor only found bruises. No knife marks were found on the victim’s body,” he said.
“This is a personal matter against me, because I have highlighted that certain people are involved in politics.”
He also claimed that a state witness, also a councillor in the area, was also arrested but the charges were withdrawn as part of the agenda against them.
“There is a witchhunt against the Mashamaite family. I am a public figure, I can’t be involved in public spats. I am a community leader, I know how to conduct myself in situations like that.”
He continues, saying that this was the reason why he informed the police of the violent actions which took place.
“There were two versions of evidence in court. I was arrested while they were in possession of the medical report that showed that there were no stab wounds to Norman Baloyi. So from the start they knew that there was no evidence, but they still arrested me on a different charge. This is all political.”
All three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
“I am not even happy about the outcome of the court as I knew that I was innocent from the start. It is a pity to pay large amounts of money to prove yourself innocent.
They violated my freedom and my rights in this community,” he said adamantly.
bosnews@nmgroup.co.za
