Baloyi wants his day in court
Midvaal mayor insists on a chance to clear his name
Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi says he still wants his day in court so he can clear his name on the allegations of assault opened by ANC member Rembuluwani Malange.
On Monday, the National Prosecuting Authority provisionally withdrew the assault cases Baloyi, 31, and Malange, 29, had opened against each other.
Baloyi and Malange were allegedly involved in a fight on Saturday at a tree-planting event in Savanna City after a group of people in ANC colours stormed the venue.
Baloyi was apparently hit with a rock on the mouth. Malange claimed Baloyi assaulted him with a microphone. They were both arrested and later released on R500 bail each.
Yesterday, Baloyi spoke to Sowetan while being escorted to the exit of the Vereeniging magistrate’s court, insisting the case that he opened should be heard in court.
“I believe that this is a sound case. It was political as well. It is a bizzare thing. The fact that I go to open a case at a police station and the same individual who assaulted me goes to open a counter case, is a bizzare decision for the police [to arrest us both]. I must also apply my mind and decide what is the best recourse for myself.
“We are going to go ahead and assist the prosecutors to make up their mind and prosecute. I want to show that I’m innocent and this was an ANC inspired attack,” Baloyi said.
Inside a packed courtroom, the two sat together waiting for their names to be called.
Outside, DA and ANC members were demonstrating. “We believe that the case before us is a matter of power versus justice,” said ANC regional spokesperson Boniface Mazilazila.
The ANC prevented the media from speaking to Malange, saying it is acting on legal advice. “The executive mayor must have gone beyond his responsibility and powers. That was a government event,” Mazilazila said.