Nothando Makhubela
Former Mpumalanga MEC Mandla Msibi, who stepped aside when charged with murder, has stepped back in now that the case has been dropped.
The former MEC of agriculture and rural development has resumed his position as Mpumalanga ANC treasurer.
Msibi and his five co-accused, Anele Mnisi, Joseph Charlie Ngwenya, Tsepo Eddie Matsane, Njabulo Mkhonto and Sibusiso Vincent Mdhluli, were charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
They were accused of being involved in the 22 August 2021 shooting of Dingane Ngwenya, Sipho Lubisi, and Sfiso Mpila outside the Coyotes Shisa Nyama in Mbombela.
The charges were provisionally dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority on Monday due to a lack of evidence.
Msibi was welcomed as a hero by ANC supporters in Pienaar, including MEC for social development and deputy provincial secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, former MEC for health
Gillion Mashego, and former MEC for community safety, security, and liaisons Pat Ngomane.
He said that the charges against him were politically motivated because he had been campaigning for the position of ANC provincial chairperson during that time.
“I know who is behind this case. I will reveal their identities to the ANC’s national leadership. My arrest was orchestrated during the build-up, due to the local government elections,” he said.
“It was expected that these charges were going to be withdrawn. I have been saying that these charges are malicious.”
The Mpumalanga ANC welcomed the withdrawal of charges.
Provincial Executive Committee spokesperson Ngelosi Ndlovu told Scrolla.Africa, “The ANC would like to express its appreciation to Cde Mandla Msibi for conducting himself in a disciplined manner throughout the court processes and for respecting the ANC step-aside rule.”
