Police have made a breakthrough in a criminal case that caused Raymond Mhlaba ward councillor Nobuhle Sango to abandon her home and live with relatives in another province after receiving death threats.
In September, unknown people emptied four litres of petrol around Sango’s home, making sure to splash the fuel over her bakkie and small car. They lit the fuel, but a vigilant family member ran out and put sand in the fuel’s path, preventing the blaze from spreading and doing damage. A week later, she said she received death threats.
Sango fled the province, saying she had noticed strange vehicles following her.
She also received tip-offs from her community that a man was hired to kill her.
In the same period, 16 other ANC councillors also fled their homes in fear after hearing allegations that they were on a hit list.
All 16 were friends of assassinated council speaker Thozama Njobe, who was killed in July.
On Monday, they were all shocked to learn that one of their colleagues, a senior official who is temporarily employed by the municipality, was arrested in Sango’s case.
The man appeared in Fort Beaufort Magistrate’s Court yesterday and the case was postponed to November 6 for a formal bail application.
The suspect cannot be named as he has not pleaded in the case and is charged with conspiracy to murder.
Raymond Mhlaba mayor Bandile Ketelo confirmed the arrest, saying the law must run its course. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Man arrested for councillor threats
In September, unknown people emptied four litres of petrol around Sango’s home, making sure to splash the fuel over her bakkie and small car. They lit the fuel, but a vigilant family member ran out and put sand in the fuel’s path, preventing the blaze from spreading and doing damage. A week later, she said she received death threats.
Sango fled the province, saying she had noticed strange vehicles following her.
She also received tip-offs from her community that a man was hired to kill her.
In the same period, 16 other ANC councillors also fled their homes in fear after hearing allegations that they were on a hit list.
All 16 were friends of assassinated council speaker Thozama Njobe, who was killed in July.
On Monday, they were all shocked to learn that one of their colleagues, a senior official who is temporarily employed by the municipality, was arrested in Sango’s case.
The man appeared in Fort Beaufort Magistrate’s Court yesterday and the case was postponed to November 6 for a formal bail application.
The suspect cannot be named as he has not pleaded in the case and is charged with conspiracy to murder.
Raymond Mhlaba mayor Bandile Ketelo confirmed the arrest, saying the law must run its course. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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