Central SA
Kestell ward councillor accused of extortion, assault─── BAMBATHA GIKO 16:28 Thu, 23 Feb 2023
An ANC ward councillor and his personal assistant appeared in the Kestell magistrate’s court for the alleged extortion of business people and the assault of a local businessman.
Following their arrests on January 1, 2023, Mahola Japie Mokoena, a councillor for Ward 3 in the Maluti-a-Phofong local municipality, and his assistant, Bafana Raymond Masondo, appeared in court on Wednesday, 22 February 2023. Their case was postponed until 22 March 2023, pending further investigations.
It’s alleged that on New Year's Day, the duo allegedly assaulted a local business owner for failing to pay a bribe. The businessman ran to the police station, seeking protection from his attackers. However, they allegedly proceeded to assault the businessman in the station in front of an officer.
A spokesperson for the police, Mmako Mophiring, says police officers intervened and arrested the duo. They were put in custody for a maximum of 48 hours and appeared in court on 4 January 2023.
Mophiring says the two appeared in court again seven days later for their bail hearing. Mokoena was released on bail of R5000 and Masondo released on bail of R2000.
During their court appearance on Wednesday, a crowd waited outside the premises to protest and to hear the outcome of the case. Members of the Democratic Alliance was also at the court hearing.
"It is outrageous that an elected public representative has allegedly been extorting money from business people," says DA councillor, Bea Campbell-Cloete.
