Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla, lost his appeal against his assault conviction and sentence in the Mthatha High Court yesterday.
NPA regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali confirmed the appeal was dismissed.
“This is a vindication for us. It shows that we have a strong case against him. Now the ball in his court, we want justice to be done,” said Tyali.
The judge who heard his appeal, Judge Sytze Alkema, is the same judge who sentenced baThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo to 15 years’ imprisonment on December 6 2009.
Mandela was sentenced by the Mthatha Regional Court to a fine of R10000 or three years in jail‚ all suspended‚ for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for pistol-whipping Mlamli Ngudle in October 2013 in Mthatha in October.
Ngudle, a teacher, had bumped a car belonging to an investor having lunch with Mandla.
The NPA had called for Mandela to serve time in prison saying it would send a strong message to the public that no one was above the law.