NPA withdraws murder charges against former Mpumalanga MEC Mandla Msibi and co-accused

The High Court in Mbombela has withdrawn charges against former Mpumalanga MEC for Agriculture Mandla Msibi and co-accused.

Judge Brian Mashile told Mandla Msibi, Joseph Charlie Ngwenya, Tshepo Matsane, Anele Mnisi, Njabulo Mkhonto and Sibusiso Mdluli that they are free to go.

The six suspects were accused were facing two counts of murder and one of attempted murder for their alleged involvement in a shooting incident in August 2021. They were out on bail for the alleged double murder of Sindela Lubisi and Dingaan Ngwenya, and the attempted murder of Sfiso Mpila last year at shisanyama in Mbombela.

Monica Nyuswa, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson confirmed that the charges were withdrawn due to outstanding information as highlighted by the prosecution team, which the NPA felt it would not be in the interest of justice to proceed with the trial without it.

“We took the decision of provisionally withdrawing the charges against all the accused pending the outcome of the outstanding information. Once that information has been obtained, then an informed decision will be taken,” Nyuswa told the media outside court.

She could not disclose what the outstanding information was and when it might be obtained by the prosecution, only stating that the information is sensitive and would be revealed at the trial.

In April, Msibi was elected as the African National Congress Treasurer, however, he agreed to step aside, as he was facing murder and attempted murder charges.

Source: News24, Times Live, The Citizen, SABC News, image from Twitter

Doctor Mahlaule

Doctor Mahlaule previously worked as a Freelance Journalist at Find-it SA where he was responsible for writing news articles and sharing them on social media platforms. Doctor Mahlaule holds a Diploma in Journalism, BA in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Media Studies. Doctor began his journey as a knowledge Management and Communications Intern at Zenex Foundation. He was responsible for support in event management, social media, website maintenance, writing and brand management. On weekends Doctor attends prison ministry and shares the scriptures with inmates at Krugersdorp prison and plays soccer in the afternoon on some weekends. He has a passion for reading and writing and enjoys going out with friends and socialising in his spare time. He has a one-year-old son and is planning on getting married soon. When asked about what keeps him going, he said: “My family keeps me going. I’m the man I am because I come from a loving home. I have a very supportive family who always encourages me to keep pushing hard.”

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