Charges withdrawn against NC speaker

CHARGES of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and contravening a protection order, were provisionally withdrawn against the speaker of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature, Kenny Mmoiemang, in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Mmoiemang is also the acting provincial chairman of the ANC after the former ANC provincial chairman, John Block, stepped down, following a guilty verdict that was handed down for corruption and money laundering charges in the Trifecta case.

Mmoiemang was charged for allegedly kicking his customary law wife in her private parts and violating an interim protection order in June 2015.

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions was expected to make a decision regarding prosecution on the domestic violence charges next week.

Five witnesses including the complainant, two police officers and two doctors, were scheduled to testify at the start of the trial that was set down for three days this week.

The case was postponed late on Tuesday, until yesterday.

Mmoiemang, who was constantly guarded by several VIP security officials, waited inside his vehicle with dark tinted windows, that was parked outside the court building for most of Tuesday and yesterday. State prosecutor, Elmarie van der Merwe, yesterday informed the court that the application of the complainant to withdraw the charges was successful.

“The complainant was party to the negotiations and the settlement agreement.”

The magistrate excused all the witnesses, including all the complainant’s family members.

It is believed that the issue in the Family Court between the couple has also been finalised.

During the course of his court appearances, Mmoiemang attempted to prevent the media from covering proceedings on several occasions.

He was represented by Mohammed Desai, an advocate from Johannesburg, while the complainant was represented by attorney Simethemba Mzuzu.