The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has warned that double murder accused ex-MEC Mandla Msibi must not receive special treatment during the course of his trial, SurgeZirc SA reports.
According to the statement issued by the DA on Thursday, it was gathered that the double murder-accused ex-MEC Mandla Msibi’s is on the verge of meeting with Police Minister Bheki Cele to discuss his pending criminal case.
Recall that the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Nelspruit yesterday granted R20 000 bail to the embattled former Mpumalanga Agriculture MEC Mandla Msibi and his alleged accomplices after spending the weekend behind bars for the serious charges he is facing.
After his release on bail on Tuesday, Msibi was said to have told his 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.
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“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, 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,” the statement reads.
The DA has, however, expressed disappointment with the bail given to Msibi stating that regardless of his bail, a transparent and thorough investigation into the matter should be done, and on no account should witnesses 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.
“We are also not surprised that Msibi and his supporters have labeled these charges “politically motivated” since that is exactly what all ANC members accused with serious crimes always say.
“The DA will monitor this case very closely, and should there be any political interference, we won’t hesitate to take the matter further and make sure that justice is served to the victims of this cases and their families” the statement concludes.
