Mandla assault ’ will go on trial

A CRIMINAL case against Mandla Mandela will now go to trial in May after his legal team failed in its attempt to have the charges withdrawn yesterday.

The trial is set to take place in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, from May 26 to 28.

Mandela, an ANC parliamentarian and chief of Mvezo, appeared in the regional court in Mthatha yesterday morning on charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm at Mthatha motorist Mlamli Ngudle, 45, following an altercation in October last year.

Mandela ’ s new lawyer, Professor Billy Gundelfinger, confirmed that he had made a representation just before his client ’ s court appearance to persuade the state to withdraw the charges.

“But the state has declined,” he said. “They wanted to go on a trial.”

Gundelfinger, who had been appointed to represent Mandela on Friday, said he and his client would be ready when the trial started.

Mandela, wearing a red striped shirt and black pants, immediately left the courtroom after the judge announced the trial date.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali said the case was serious and that is why the state declined to withdraw the charges.

Ngudle, who was also present with some of his family members, could not hide his disappointment at the postponement.

“Three months is such a long time. I was hoping they would deliver justice very soon.”