THE two main accused in a fraud case relating to misuse of monies meant for former president Nelson Mandela’s memorial services, have decided to stand trial separately.
East London businessman and owner of Victory Ticket 750cc, Mzwandile Sokwali, and his wife Busisiwe Boti, yesterday pleaded with the court to separate their court appearances from the rest of their co-accused.
Sokwali yesterday appeared in court together with his wife, Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta, council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele, councillor Sindiswa Gomba, senior metro official Ondela Mahlangu and regional ANC boss Phumlani Mkolo.
Also in the dock with them were local business people Viwe Vazi, Nosiphiwo Mati, Dean Fanoe and Johannesburg-based lawyer Zintle Nkuhlu.
The cases involve the alleged misuse of more than R6-million meant for the Mandela memorial services.
Sokwali, the company Victory Ticket and Boti appear as accused number one, two and three respectively. The couple did not provide reasons for wanting a separation.
Magistrate Deon Rossouw accepted the application and postponed their next court appearance to December 9. The rest of the accused will appear on February 25. Rossouw also agreed that April 7 to 24 next year be set aside as provisional trial dates for the rest of the accused.
During yesterday’s court appearance, about a hundred ANC supporters, mostly clad in yellow party T-shirts, filled the courtroom gallery.
They later gathered outside the court premises and sang pro-Mkolo revolutionary songs.
The group of supporters were later addressed by ANC MPL and Buffalo City regional deputy chairman Xola Pakati, who told them that the charges against their leaders were a result of a political ploy to discredit them. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Pair wants to be tried apart
East London businessman and owner of Victory Ticket 750cc, Mzwandile Sokwali, and his wife Busisiwe Boti, yesterday pleaded with the court to separate their court appearances from the rest of their co-accused.
Sokwali yesterday appeared in court together with his wife, Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta, council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele, councillor Sindiswa Gomba, senior metro official Ondela Mahlangu and regional ANC boss Phumlani Mkolo.
Also in the dock with them were local business people Viwe Vazi, Nosiphiwo Mati, Dean Fanoe and Johannesburg-based lawyer Zintle Nkuhlu.
The cases involve the alleged misuse of more than R6-million meant for the Mandela memorial services.
Sokwali, the company Victory Ticket and Boti appear as accused number one, two and three respectively. The couple did not provide reasons for wanting a separation.
Magistrate Deon Rossouw accepted the application and postponed their next court appearance to December 9. The rest of the accused will appear on February 25. Rossouw also agreed that April 7 to 24 next year be set aside as provisional trial dates for the rest of the accused.
During yesterday’s court appearance, about a hundred ANC supporters, mostly clad in yellow party T-shirts, filled the courtroom gallery.
They later gathered outside the court premises and sang pro-Mkolo revolutionary songs.
The group of supporters were later addressed by ANC MPL and Buffalo City regional deputy chairman Xola Pakati, who told them that the charges against their leaders were a result of a political ploy to discredit them. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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