The Mayor of Mhlathuze Municipality, Councilor Xolani Ngwezi, who appeared at the Magistrate’s Court in Richards Bay, in the north of KwaZulu-Natal, has been released on bail with a warning – regarding the case he is facing and allegations of defamatory speech.
Ngwezi appeared in this Court on Thursday, in connection with the case in which he was sued by businessman Mr. Cyril Paton and member of the African National Congress (ANC), Mr. Phiwe Mhlongo.
The matter stems from the fact that Ngwezi is accused of saying that he visited the 1KZNTV television station, called Mhlongo and Paton crooks – and also revealed the news that Paton is a prostitute.
Having appeared in Court, the Magistrate revealed that this case will need enough time to be tracked and processed properly, and adjourned it to May 27 – it is expected that a decision will be made on that day as to what will happen in November.
A member of the interim committee of the ANC, Mrs. Thembeka Mchunu, said that they hope that justice will be done in this case, and that Ngwezi will receive the punishment he deserves.
He also disclosed that one of the concerns of the leadership of the community is that since the leadership of the Inkatha Freedom Party came to power, a lot of things are going wrong in this municipality – including the problem of increasing crime incidents in the areas they built.
He said they wish that the Minister of Governance and Indigenous Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, would take steps to try to solve the various problems plaguing the Mhlathuze community.