‘I’m very happy’: Norma Mngoma after state drops charges in damaged Merc trial

The state has dropped all charges against Nomachule “Norma” Mngoma.

This comes after the docket and the high court judgment ruling her arrest unlawful was referred to the director of public prosecutions (DPP), as well as her legal team’s representations to the DPP.

Mngoma was arrested in July last year after allegedly damaging a Mercedes-Benz G wagon that was being driven by her estranged husband, former minister Malusi Gigaba,  by repeatedly scratching it. There was also an allegation, leading to a charge of crimen injuria, that she had sent an insulting text message to a friend of Gigaba’s.

She told eNCA outside court that she was very happy about the decision, saying it had been a long journey in a process that was “unfair” and an attempt to “humiliate” her and destroy her image.

Her lawyer said they are finalising papers to sue, saying: “The state must pay for what they have done to her.”

The high court recently ruled her arrest was unlawful. Pretoria judge Cassim Sardiwalla said the Hawks officers involved had “abused their powers and position” in the law enforcement agency. The aim was “presumably to avenge a wrong or perceived wrong” on the part of Gigaba.

It was not for any lawful purpose, Sardiwalla said.

The court order also declared the decision to confiscate her cellphones and laptops was unlawful and ordered the Hawks to return all the information unlawfully downloaded from them.

Police minister Bheki Cele and the Hawks have applied to appeal the high court ruling.

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