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Councillor Mthunzi Madolo

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Mthunzi Madolo, a ward councillor for Motherwell in Port Elizabeth, made a brief appearance before the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court on Monday this week. He was read his rights and released on bail after spending the night behind bars.

Meanwhile, the man he apparently hit with his private vehicle on Sunday evening, is recovering in Livingstone Hospital with two broken legs.

Ntsikelelo Mayiyane, 46, is in a stable condition and will undergo a second operation soon. Both his legs are in casts.

It is alleged that Madolo veered onto the sidewalk while dropping off a friend in Steve Tshwetshe village in Motherwell at about 5pm on Sunday.

He apparently knocked Mayiyane, a father of three, to the ground with his maroon Toyota Corolla, before driving over his legs, crushing his shins under the wheel.

Talking from his hospital bed, Mayiyane said he felt the immense pain before he even realised what had happened.

“I heard the car coming but I was walking on the sidewalk, so I didn’t think I was in danger. I was not far from my house when it happened. He was not even going that fast, but he was apparently drinking [alcohol],” Mayiyane said.

Mayiyane’s neighbour was apparently a passenger in the ward 55 councillor’s car at the time.

According to Mayiyane, his neighbour and Madolo had been drinking at a tavern in the area earlier that day.

Madolo was apparently dropping the neighbour back home when he lost control of the wheel and veered onto the sidewalk.

Mayiyane said witnesses alerted the police and an ambulance was called to rush him to hospital.

Madolo was arrested at the scene.

He faces charges of driving under the influence and reckless and negligent driving.

Further accusations have now been levelled against Madolo, that this was not the first time his drinking landed him in trouble.

He has even been accused of attending council meetings reeking of booze.

Madolo was appointed ward councillor earlier this year, replacing Phumeza Lose, who died along with two other councillors in a horror accident in January.

Since news broke of Madolo’s arrest, several councillors claimed that he was “bound to be arrested” as there were letters written to chief whip Feziwe Sibeko complaining that he had attended meetings drunk.

Council speaker, Maria Hermans, confirmed that she had been informed of letters of complaints but said she had not yet received them.

“I’m told that there have been letters written about his conduct, but I have not received it. So, I cannot act until I have seen the letters.

“The councillor did not look drunk when I’ve spoken to him in council, so we can’t say he’s always drunk in council,” Hermans said.

When questioned if any action would be taken with regards to Madolo’s arrest, Hermans said there was a mandatory process that had to be followed.

“It’s not as easy as just suspending him... The right thing for me to do would be to verify and establish the facts from councillor Madolo’s side.

“After I have received the facts, I will have to formally inform the MEC [of Local Government Mlibo Qoboshiyane] who would have to see if there’s been a breach of conduct,” Hermans said.

She said the MEC would have to act if Madolo was found to be in breach of the councillors’ code of conduct.

While Mayiyane said he appreciated Madolo’s apology and efforts to visit him at the hospital, he said he hoped he would also assist him with further medical bills.

“When I don’t work I don’t get paid. I have three children and doctors have not yet told me how long I will be out of work. I am going to struggle financially,” he said.

Comments

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Tue Jun 18 09:19:05 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 19, 2012

RobinH

Pity one can't bust people for ruling under the influence.
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Sep 19, 2012

malemaforpresident

He copied the drinking habit from Mantashe,Khosa and Nzimande the heavy waights
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Sep 19, 2012

RobinH

What about "bribing under the influence". Getting warmer?
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Sep 19, 2012

Catswhiskers

Just what do you have to do to lose your job as an anc member?
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Sep 19, 2012

RobinH

catswhiskers: Actually perform?
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Sep 19, 2012

BlackSeed

Ok, was he doing ANC work when busted? If not, then why is the ANC being pulled into this?

Whenever I see a Black face on the front page of any newspaper, I already know that news is not good.

Whoever cursed this nation did a good job

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Sep 19, 2012

RobinH

Blackseed. Easy. Because he choose to lead a public life as an ANC nominated councillor. That is his only claim to fame.
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Sep 19, 2012

MommaC

I hope that picture is the one where he was phuzafaced. If that is him sober, he has problems
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Sep 19, 2012

2shy2call

No doubt he was drunk like the Judge. Don't worry your problem is solved his pension will be paid to you and Road accident fund will pay you together with his monthly salary you share it. Is he ugly by nature or drunk?
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Sep 19, 2012

freegoman

This is an indication that none of ANC leadership are sober minded. Look at Malema, Zuma etc, " I don't have feeling for Zuma"
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