Staff Reporter
The executive mayor of Newcastle municipality Dr Nthuthuko Mahlaba has been arrested in connection with the murder of former ANC Youth League member Wandile Ngobeni.
Mahlaba, who is also the chairperson of the ANC’s Emahlaleni region, will appear in court on Monday, according to the police.
Police minister Bheki Cele’s spokesperson Reneilwe Serero confirmed on Friday that a senior official was taken into custody but declined to reveal the name of the person involved.
“I can confirm that one senior official from the Newcastle municipality has been arrested by the political task team operating in KZN. Unfortunately, at this stage I cannot divulge the name of the suspect. The person will be making a court appearance in the next 48 hours,” said Serero.
Mahlaba’s arrest comes days after the Harry Gwala District Mayor Mluleki Ndobe’s incarceration for the murder of former ANC Youth League secretary Sindiso Magaqa.
Ndobe, 44, Sbonelo Myeza, 39, Mbulelo Mbofana, 34, and Zweliphansi Skhosana, 48, appeared in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a count of murder and two of attempted murder.
Ndobe, who is third on the ANC’s provincial list, did not plead and the matter was postponed to March 25 and 26 for formal bail applications.
Magaqa died in hospital in September 2017, around two months after he was shot in Umzimkhulu.
