An Eastern Cape traditional leader accused of assaulting two women on January 30 was reportedly released on bail five months ago for a separate case of assault.
This was heard in the Elliotdale magistrate’s court on Monday where Nkosi Avela Ngubesilo Njuqwana, 29, appeared facing two counts of assault and one of imputing witchcraft.
Njuqwana, wearing a navy two-piece work suit in court on Monday, is charged with assaulting No-Answer Thuma, 79, and Nokuphiwa Valiphathwa, 51, on January 30.
The video of the assault, which has sparked widespread condemnation, shows a man assaulting the two women at Ngqakayi in Sholorha village outside Elliotdale.
The traditional leader wasarrested on January 31.
Njuqwana, who is alleged to be the person in the video, is a headman in the Gcaleka-Ncihana Traditional Council.
Thuma was the partner of Njuqwana’s father, Nkosi Mhlabunzima Mshaweni Njuqwana, who was slain in 2015 while leaving a traditional ceremony with Thuma.
The accused was preparing to hold a ritual for his father on February 22.
The charge of imputing witchcraft is related to accusations allegedly made by Njuqwana that Thuma had bewitched his father.
State prosecutor Luythando Mgabisi told magistrate Simthembile Mtwengwana that the traditional leader was out on bail for a charge of assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm allegedly committed five months ago.
This after he allegedly beat anelderly man with a bottle.
“The state vehemently opposes the accused’s release onbail.”
Though the court was ready to hear Njuqwana’s bail application, his attorney, Lumnkile Rhambeni, told the court his client had opted to abandon his bid.
Rhambeni did not give a reason for this, but the magistrate said Njuqwana could apply for bail later if he so wished.
The case was postponed to March 12 for trial.
A group of people, includingANC members, Mbhashe municipal councillors and traditional leaders, picketed outside the magistrate’s court.
Co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Zolile Williams has since placed Njuqwana “on precautionary suspension with immediate effect pending the finalisation of the investigations”.
Contralesa Women’s Wing provincial chair Nosintu Gwebindlala raised concerns about the alleged involvement of other traditional leaders in serious crimes, acts of gender-basedand domestic violence, saying at least six traditional leaders were in court for murder, rape, and cases of GBV and domestic violence.
Daily Dispatch
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