Cele steps into journalist fray
2010-08-05 09:26
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Sydney Masinga, African Eye
Mbombela - Two Mpumalanga civil servants were arrested and charged along with Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika for possession of an allegedly fraudulent resignation letter from Premier David Mabuza to President Jacob Zuma.The civil servants have not yet appeared in court and cannot therefore be named, but they include a deputy director in Mpumalanga's Department of Human Settlements and a rural schoolteacher.They are scheduled to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate's Court on Thursday while Wa Afrika is set to appear on Friday, on charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.Wa Afrika is being defended by lawyers from Sunday Times, but it is unclear whether the two officials have any legal representation.The supposed resignation letter is dated June 2 and is printed on a provincial government letterhead reading: "I hereby state my intention to resign as premier of the Mpumalanga province, with effect from the 17th of July 2010, as discussed with the president."I will await your further instructions on the process to be followed. I trust that the confidential nature of this issue shall be respected for the good of all concerned.”National issueMpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Leonard Hlathi, declined to comment, referring all questions to national police commissioner General Bheki Cele's spokesperson, Nonkululeko Mbatha, because “this matter has become a national issue because it involves the president".Mbatha would only say: "We have taken over the case."The more senior suspect, who works in the province's informal settlements division in the Ehlanzeni region, appears to be accused of fabricating the letter.The second suspect is apparently accused of circulating the letter to journalists from a fax machine at the Mganduzweni Primary School outside White River.Both civil servants were arrested at work on Tuesday.Human Settlements spokesperson Freddy Ngobe confirmed on Wednesday that an official from the department was arrested, but declined to identify them."I heard rumours about who was arrested, but do want to name them. The department would like the law to take its course, and that is our official comment,” said Ngobe.Hitlist, assassinAnother of Wa Afrika's alleged sources, former Mpumalanga ANC Youth League leader and current Cope chairperson in Ehlanzeni, James Nkambule, has also been arrested on charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.Nkambule was arrested March 25 and released on R8 000 bail shortly after admitting he had circulated a supposed hitlist of Mpumalanga public figures.The list included Mbombela municipality speaker, councillor Jimmy Mohlala, who was executed in front of his family in January 2009 while investigating tender irregularities relating to the Mbombela 2010 stadium.The list also included names of other officials who had either died or disappeared in questionable circumstances.Nkambule claims that the hitlist and an accompanying affidavit were drafted by a Mozambican assassin, identified only as 'Josh', who claims to have been hired by "a senior Mpumalanga politician".More arrestsSecretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Mpumalanga, Raymond Makamo, has accused Wa Africa and one of the housing official of colluding to destroy Premier Mabuza."I saw Mzilikazi meeting (the housing official) at the Protea Hotel earlier this year when the hitlist stories were still hot," said Makamo."That is when we suspected that they were working together against Comrade DD. We expect more people to be arrested."The premier's spokesperson, Mabutho Sithole, said that the arrest proves that "there are people who are hellbound on destroying the premier's good name"."We have always said there was a conspiracy going on against the premier. We accept the arrest and hope that the law will take its course," said Sithole.
- African Eye
Read more on: media crime nelspruit bheki cele david mabuza
Related Links
Journalist 'likely' in court on Friday
Journalist's arrest 'designed to intimidate'
Cops in screaming match with editors
Sunday Times reporter arrested
Hawks mum on Wa Afrika arrest details
kalahari.net
buy books, music, dvds, appliances and much more
Books Galore! Millions of books available at discounted prices! Fiction, thrillers, biographies,...
Sydney Masinga, African Eye
Mbombela - Two Mpumalanga civil servants were arrested and charged along with Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika for possession of an allegedly fraudulent resignation letter from Premier David Mabuza to President Jacob Zuma.The civil servants have not yet appeared in court and cannot therefore be named, but they include a deputy director in Mpumalanga's Department of Human Settlements and a rural schoolteacher.They are scheduled to appear in the KaBokweni Magistrate's Court on Thursday while Wa Afrika is set to appear on Friday, on charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.Wa Afrika is being defended by lawyers from Sunday Times, but it is unclear whether the two officials have any legal representation.The supposed resignation letter is dated June 2 and is printed on a provincial government letterhead reading: "I hereby state my intention to resign as premier of the Mpumalanga province, with effect from the 17th of July 2010, as discussed with the president."I will await your further instructions on the process to be followed. I trust that the confidential nature of this issue shall be respected for the good of all concerned.”National issueMpumalanga police spokesperson, Captain Leonard Hlathi, declined to comment, referring all questions to national police commissioner General Bheki Cele's spokesperson, Nonkululeko Mbatha, because “this matter has become a national issue because it involves the president".Mbatha would only say: "We have taken over the case."The more senior suspect, who works in the province's informal settlements division in the Ehlanzeni region, appears to be accused of fabricating the letter.The second suspect is apparently accused of circulating the letter to journalists from a fax machine at the Mganduzweni Primary School outside White River.Both civil servants were arrested at work on Tuesday.Human Settlements spokesperson Freddy Ngobe confirmed on Wednesday that an official from the department was arrested, but declined to identify them."I heard rumours about who was arrested, but do want to name them. The department would like the law to take its course, and that is our official comment,” said Ngobe.Hitlist, assassinAnother of Wa Afrika's alleged sources, former Mpumalanga ANC Youth League leader and current Cope chairperson in Ehlanzeni, James Nkambule, has also been arrested on charges of fraud and defeating the ends of justice.Nkambule was arrested March 25 and released on R8 000 bail shortly after admitting he had circulated a supposed hitlist of Mpumalanga public figures.The list included Mbombela municipality speaker, councillor Jimmy Mohlala, who was executed in front of his family in January 2009 while investigating tender irregularities relating to the Mbombela 2010 stadium.The list also included names of other officials who had either died or disappeared in questionable circumstances.Nkambule claims that the hitlist and an accompanying affidavit were drafted by a Mozambican assassin, identified only as 'Josh', who claims to have been hired by "a senior Mpumalanga politician".More arrestsSecretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Mpumalanga, Raymond Makamo, has accused Wa Africa and one of the housing official of colluding to destroy Premier Mabuza."I saw Mzilikazi meeting (the housing official) at the Protea Hotel earlier this year when the hitlist stories were still hot," said Makamo."That is when we suspected that they were working together against Comrade DD. We expect more people to be arrested."The premier's spokesperson, Mabutho Sithole, said that the arrest proves that "there are people who are hellbound on destroying the premier's good name"."We have always said there was a conspiracy going on against the premier. We accept the arrest and hope that the law will take its course," said Sithole.
- African Eye
Read more on: media crime nelspruit bheki cele david mabuza
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