NPA to decide on EFF/ANC cases

File Photo: Clyde Robinson

File Photo: Clyde Robinson

Published Feb 28, 2014

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Komatipoort - The trial of five ANC members and seven EFF members in Mpumalanga was postponed in the Tonga Magistrate's Court near Komatipoort on Friday.

This was done to allow the National Director of Public Prosecutions to make a decision on whether they should go to trial.

Members of the African National Congress and the Economic Freedom Fighters made a brief court appearance, and were not asked to plead.

The two groups opened assault charges against each other in December last year.

Before their court appearance, prosecutor Frederick Mhelembe suggested that the two groups not be allowed to enter court at the same time to avoid a quarrel.

“I would like the EFF to be the first to appear in front of their fellow members and later the ANC, to reserve peace in court,” Mhelembe requested before court proceedings.

Tonga Magistrate Sibonisiwe Sibuyi said the NDPP had not yet made a decision on how the cases should be handled.

She postponed the matter to June 9 for the NDPP's decision.

During their last court appearance, members of both parties started to beat each other, which led to the court separating them into two different courtrooms.

The EFF members, including the EFF's Nkomazi sub-regional convenor, Caleb Sibitane, were not asked to plead and were released on warning.

The ANC members, including Tonga ward councillor Nomsa Maphanga, were also not asked to plead and were released on warning.

On Friday, the court was expected to get advice from the director of public prosecutions on how to deal with both cases.

The EFF has accused Maphanga of mobilising ANC members, including her husband, David, to stop an EFF meeting that was being held in Tonga.

Sapa

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