Nkambule and NPA strike deal

30 March 2010 - 02:00
By Riot Hlatshwayo riot@sowetan.co.za

COPE'S Ehlanzeni regional chairperson, James Nkambule, will know his fate when he appears in the Nelspruit magistrate's courttomorrow .

This follows an arrangement with the prosecution to bring him to court earlier than was expected.

Captain Leonard Hlathi of the Mpumalanga police organised crime unit said yesterday a lawyer representing Nkambule reached an agreement with the prosecution that resulted in the earlier court date.

Nkambule was previously remanded in custody to April 9, when he appeared in the court last week Friday.

This was after his arrest the previous day on charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, incitement and defeating the ends of justice.

"The new date came as a special arrangement between the suspect's lawyer and the prosecution," Hlathi said.

"I can confirm that the suspect will formally apply for bail before the court on Wednesday instead of the initial date of April 9."

A relative of Nkambule said the arrangements were reached because of his poor health and that he was already under police guard in hospital.

Nkambule's arrest is related to the controversial hit list allegedly containing names of targeted politicians in Mpumalanga.

The politicians include the late Jimmy Mohlala, the speaker of Mbombela municipality who was shot dead at his home in KaNyamazane in January last year.