Johannesburg - All charges levelled against the former MEC for Agriculture Mandla Msibi have been withdrawn by the Mpumalanga High Court on Monday.
Msibi was arrested in 2021 on charges of murder and attempted murder related to a shooting incident that left two people dead in Mbombela. One person was left injured during the shooting.
Msibi and five co-accused Joseph Charlie Ngwenya, Tsepo Eddie Matsane, Anele Sonke Mnisi, Njabulo Mkhonto and Sibusiso Vincent Mdhluli were accused of killing Sipho Lubisi and Dingane Ngwenya. They were also charged for allegedly injuring Sifiso Mpila at a liquor store in Mbombela.
Judge Brian Mashile of the Mpumalanga High Court released the accused due to outstanding information detected by the prosecution team.
“Charges against Msibi together with his five co-accused have been provisionally withdrawn due to outstanding information detected by the prosecution team. We felt it won't be in the interests of justice to proceed with the trial without it.
“Once that information has been obtained a decision will be made,” said NPA Mpumalanga spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.
Msibi was suspended from ANC activities ahead of the 2021 November local government elections.
At the time, Msibi protested his innocence and claimed the charges were politically motivated. He said his political opponents wanted to deal with him, but he would prove his innocence.
In April this year, Msibi was elected ANC provincial treasurer during a provincial elective conference which was held at Emalahleni Dam.
The Star