Pongola mayor’s assault court case postponed
Six suspects stand accused of assaulting a man for using a footpath across a certain homestead
THE case against Pongola Mayor Winnie Nhlabathi and her two bodyguards, Mxolisi Vilane and Thabani Mathabela, was postponed to Wednesday.
Nhlabathi and her two co-accused appeared in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court last Friday (13 March).
The three accused were joined by another three suspects, one of whom is Nhlabathi’s sister.
The six suspects are accused of beating Thabo Gumbi (24) at Matshamnyama Reserve in Pongola for using a footpath crossing through a certain homestead on 10 February.
National Freedom Party (NFP) Secretary General, Canaan Mdletshe, said his party believed that the ruling party in Pongola must take necessary steps and act against Nhlabathi.
‘Our view is that as the first citizen of Pongola, Mayor Nhlabathi should lead by example, and as the face of the municipality and the council, she should at all times demonstrate leadership and integrity.
‘She should have known better than taking the law into her own hands,’ said Mdletshe.
‘For a very long time police have been battling with this kind of behaviour, begging citizens not to take the law into their own hands.
‘While we believe in her innocence until proven guilty, we are of the view that she should be suspended or be placed on special leave until this matter is concluded.
‘We call upon the ANC to demonstrate in public that they don’t condone hooliganism and lawlessness by taking appropriate action against the mayor,’ said Mdletshe.
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