Newcastle mayor accused of assaulting subcontractor's workers
Newcastle Local Municipality's Mayor Ntuthuko Mahlaba has described the criminal charges levelled against him as malicious, frivolous and without substance.
Mahlaba appeared before the Newcastle Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of assault, malicious damage to property and theft.
KwaZulu-Natal police say the mayor and two other people Njabulo Mabaso and Sgananda Shezi, allegedly assaulted workers employed by a subcontractor in Newcastle in September last year.
The municipality's spokesperson Mlungisi Khumalo says Mahlaba's looking forward to clearing his name in court.
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"As a municipality, we're merely disputing allegations that the mayor has been arrested. People trying to sensationalise everything and just totally gross and false.
"The mayor was summoned to appear in court. He appeared because there was an allegation which was levelled against him.
"Now has a law-abiding citizen, the matter did not even drag for long. He was out. He was not even given an opportunity to even apply for bail. He was out after that.
"He continues to serve as the mayor of Newcastle Municipality."
