Magistrate again rules that Madiba memorial trial can proceed

For the second time in three days‚ the East London regional court has ruled that the charge sheet in the Nelson Mandela memorial fraud case contains sufficient details for the accused to prepare their defence.

Magistrate Sadia Jacobs first ruled on Wednesday on an application by defence counsel that the charge sheet was defective.

She said then that‚ despite numerous errors in the document‚ there was sufficient information for the trial to go ahead.

Today‚ after lengthy argument by the lawyers‚ she dismissed an application that the charges should be quashed on the basis that the charge sheet remained defective.

The accused are: Buffalo City Metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha‚ ANC Buffalo City regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo‚ BCM deputy mayor Themba Tinta‚ council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele‚ Sindiswa Gomba‚ director in Ncitha’s office Ondela Mahlangu‚ Mkolo’s ex-girlfriend Nosiphiwo Mati and current girlfriend‚ Zintle Nkuhlu‚ and business people Viwe Vazi and Dean Fanoe.

They face various charges relating to a R5.985-million scam to defraud BCM of money earmarked to ferry mourners to memorial services after former President Nelson Mandela’s death in December 2013.