Celani Sikhakhane
Alfred Duma Local Municipality Mayor Vincent Madlala has blamed the police after failing to clinch the chance to stand as mayor for a second term after he was arrested in August.
Madlala and his daughter Sinazo were arrested after they allegedly tried to block the police from entering the mayor’s premises while investigating a murder case. The police had to use force by breaking the wall at his home in eZakheni township in Ladysmith.
The mayor was charged with obstructing the ends of justice and being in possession of unlicensed firearms.
Madlala’s name was removed from his party’s candidate list due to the ANC’s step aside rule, in which those facing criminal charges must voluntarily leave their posts.
Madlala had been hoping to clinch a second term in office after the 1 November elections.
He and his daughter appeared before the eZakheni Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
“Due to the arrest, I’m not even on the candidates list of the ANC to represent my party on 1 November,” said Madlala through his lawyer.
There was no show of support for Madlala from any community members or ANC supporters in court on Friday.
Madlala and his daughter appeared in court alongside three of the accused in a triple-murder case.
It is also alleged that the accused, who are staff members of the Madlala Security Company which belongs to the mayor’s daughter, were allegedly linked to the murder of a member of the SANDF, his friend and his girlfriend.
The mayor’s sons and three of his bodyguards are accused of murdering Mncedisi Dladla, Dima Dladla and Nompumelelo Thwala last year when the victims went to the mayor’s house to collect Mncedisi Dladla’s car.
The vehicle was later seized by the police from the address.
Madlala and his daughter are out on R10,000 bail each. They are expected to return to court on 28 January 2022.
He has been the mayor of Alfred Duma since 2016, following the departure of Dudu Mazibuko who is now the CEO of UThukela Development Agency.
