THE KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court yesterday dismissed a case of malicious damage to property against a member of the mayoral committee at a Mpumalanga municipality due to a lack of evidence.
Dipuo Mahlangu, MMC for social development at the Dr JS Moroka municipality in Siyabuswa, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly smashing windows of the KwaMhlanga community hall.
Mahlangu, 31, also a regional executive committee member of the ANC Youth League at KwaMhlanga, was among disgruntled league members who disrupted a regional general council.
A group, said to be loyalists to Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza, allegedly stormed into the hall where the meeting was taking place and beat up members taking part.
"Most of the people who disrupted us were the ones who resigned recently from the league, saying they were sympathising with the three members who were suspended by the NEC for alleged misconduct," regional secretary Bethuel Sibanyoni told Sowetan yesterday.
He said the meeting was to announce to the branches the circumstances that had led to the suspension of the three members and get their opinions on the matter.
"Just when we were about to begin singing the national anthem, a group forced its way in and started throwing chairs and bottles at us," Sibanyoni said.
During the scuffle, the hall's windows were broken and Mahlangu was arrested for the damage.
She appeared in court and yesterday the matter was thrown out because of lack of evidence.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi confirmed Mahlangu faced charges of malicious damage to property.
Last month, 12 of the 24 members of the league resigned following the suspension of three members.
The suspended members are provincial secretary Johan Mkhatshwa, his deputy, Themba Masombuka and treasurer Lerato Theko.
Court dismisses case against MMC
THE KwaMhlanga Magistrate's Court yesterday dismissed a case of malicious damage to property against a member of the mayoral committee at a Mpumalanga municipality due to a lack of evidence.
Dipuo Mahlangu, MMC for social development at the Dr JS Moroka municipality in Siyabuswa, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly smashing windows of the KwaMhlanga community hall.
Mahlangu, 31, also a regional executive committee member of the ANC Youth League at KwaMhlanga, was among disgruntled league members who disrupted a regional general council.
A group, said to be loyalists to Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza, allegedly stormed into the hall where the meeting was taking place and beat up members taking part.
"Most of the people who disrupted us were the ones who resigned recently from the league, saying they were sympathising with the three members who were suspended by the NEC for alleged misconduct," regional secretary Bethuel Sibanyoni told Sowetan yesterday.
He said the meeting was to announce to the branches the circumstances that had led to the suspension of the three members and get their opinions on the matter.
"Just when we were about to begin singing the national anthem, a group forced its way in and started throwing chairs and bottles at us," Sibanyoni said.
During the scuffle, the hall's windows were broken and Mahlangu was arrested for the damage.
She appeared in court and yesterday the matter was thrown out because of lack of evidence.
Mpumalanga police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Hlathi confirmed Mahlangu faced charges of malicious damage to property.
Last month, 12 of the 24 members of the league resigned following the suspension of three members.
The suspended members are provincial secretary Johan Mkhatshwa, his deputy, Themba Masombuka and treasurer Lerato Theko.
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