Nelspruit - The fraud and corruption trial of Mbombela municipal manager Noko Seanego was postponed in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Magistrate De Wet Oosthuizen postponed the case to March 19 for further police investigation, a Sapa correspondent reported.
However, shortly after the postponement, the Mbombela local municipality issued a media statement in which it announced that charges against Seanego were struck off the roll.
“The municipal manager of Mbombela local municipality, Mr Noko Seanego, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court today regarding his earlier arrest on charges of alleged fraud.
“The Mbombela local municipality would like to inform all members of the media that the matter has been struck off the court roll and he has been cleared of all allegations against him,” spokeswoman Bessie Pienaar said.
Prosecutors refused to confirm the municipality's statement.
“I am not allowed to speak to the media,” said a prosecutor who declined to give his name.
During Seanego's appearance, people in ANC T-shirts danced to show their support for him.
“We are here to show solidarity with our member. He is innocent until proven guilty,” one ANC member shouted.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Nomilo Mpondo did not immediately respond to questions on the matter.
Seanego was accused of failing to follow correct procedures when employing law enforcement officials at the municipality. He had suspended striking workers, who were then replaced by what the workers believed were hand-picked ANC comrades.
At the time of the strike, Seanego was not the municipal manager, but held the position of corporate services general manager.
He handed himself to the Nelspruit police station in January after a warrant of arrest was issued against him.
The warrant came after the disgruntled workers approached the provincial leadership of the Economic Freedom Fighters to intervene.
Sapa