NPA releases 1 Cala suspect

A murder charge has been withdrawn against one of the men arrested in connection with the slaying of Sakhisizwe local municipality chief whip Thanduxolo Nobhongoza.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the state withdrew charges against a 34-yearold who was arrested on Saturday when the Hawks pounced on two men at their respective homes.

Tyali said after questioning the two men, a decision was taken not to charge the second person. However, he did not rule out the possibility of more arrests being made in connection with the matter.

The second suspect, 45-yearold Loyiso Nyembe, appeared briefly in the Cala magistrate’s court on Tuesday afternoon facing a murder charge.

“The case was postponed for a formal bail application on December 13,” he said.

Nobhongoza was shot dead last Thursday while walking to a neighbour’s home in Cala.

Scores of residents, Emalahleni mayor Nomveliso Nyukwana, Chris Hani district mayor Kholiswa Vimbayo and co-operative governance MEC Fikile Xasa were in court on Monday, but the matter was not heard.

Xasa and other ANC leaders met with the NPA behind closed doors for three hours discussing the matter.

It is not clear what was resolved at the meeting.

But on Wednesday, Tyali said the matter was never on the court roll on Monday.

Xasa welcomed the arrest and called for calm, saying the law should be allowed to take its course.