Bail hearing of Mhlontlo official postponed

The bail application of a Mhlontlo municipality official accused of trying to hire two hitmen to have his boss assassinated was postponed in the Mthatha magistrate's court on Monday.

Zwelilungile Siqhola, 41, the rural municipality's infrastructure project manager, was netted in a dramatic sting operation in Mthatha on September 12. According to the state's case, he was attempting to hire a hitman to kill his boss, municipal manager Thando Mase.

He made his first court appearance last week, and on Monday he was meant to officially apply for bail.

However, his case was in court for less than five minutes  before magistrate Sibusiso Xolo postponed the matter to September 30.

The project manager also has a  fraud case pending, wherein he is accused of forging Mase's signature to approve payment of R169,000 for construction of a concrete slab in Khalankomo village in Qumbu that never hit the ground.

The company that was awarded the tender is owned by Siqhola's sister-in-law, the Dispatch reported last week.

Mase is one of the few state witnesses expected to testify against him in the fraud trial.  

During Siqhola's brief appearance on Monday, represented by advocate Daluxolo Pika, Mhlontlo mayor Nompumelelo Dywili and Mase were among those who sat in the gallery to hear whether Siqhola would be granted bail on not.

The state is opposing bail.  

Siqhola faces charges of conspiracy to murder and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

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