MSIBI GETS BAIL

BY STAFF REPORTER
NELSPRUIT – Former Mpumalanga MEC for agriculture, rural development and environmental affairs Mandla Msibi has finally being released after spending a week in the prison cells. Msibi and co-accused Anele Sonke Mnisi and Njabulo Mkhonto were released on Tuesday on R20 000 bail each after their attempts to get bail were denied by the state on numerous occasion. Msibi was arrested on Monday, 11 October 2021, and appeared at the Magistrates Court the next day facing two counts of murder and one attempted mAurder after an alleged shooting incident that resulted into the death of ANC members Dingaan Ngwenya and Sindela Lubisi and injuring Sifiso Mpila on August 22 at Coyotes Shisanyama in Nelspruit. Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane relieved Msibi of his duties two days after the arrest before the ANC which he was elections manager of temporarily suspended him because of the step-aside rule. On Wednesday, 13 October, Court had to be evacuated after Magistrate Suzan Monaledi received a message that there was a bomb inside the court building. Msibi and co-accused were released on conditions they:
– Do not to interfere with state witnesses.
-Report to Pienaar police station every Mondays and Fridays. -Surrender their passports to the investigating officer .
-Do not leave the Mpumalanga Province without informing the investigation officer.
They were ordered to appear again on 06 December 2021 for further investigation.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga accused Msibi of trying to use his position to influence the investigation.
“After his release on bail on Tuesday, Msibi told his hundreds of supporters outside the Nelspruit Magistrate Court that he is in the process of arranging a meeting with Police Minister Bheki Cele to discuss his arrest and subsequent appearance in court because he feels the matter is “politically motivated” by his detractors who want to contest with him for the vacant chairpersonship of the ANC in Mpumalanga,” the party said in statement.
“Of grave concern is whether Msibi is trying to use his political position to influence the investigation of his pending criminal case. If that happens, then can all accused on bail be given an opportunity to discuss their case with a Police Minister? But with the ANC, anything is possible – like releasing their perfectly healthy convicted criminals on medical parole. “Though the DA is disappointed with the bail given to Msibi, we still call for a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter and that witnesses must not be intimidated.
The DA also calls on the ANC not to use its power to protect Msibi from law enforcement agencies. They must let the law take its course, and if he is found guilty, he must be imprisoned like all offenders,” said the statement.