Family accuse police of
‘preferential treatment’
By LULAMILE FENI on
November 12, 2013
Teacher undergoes brain op after alleged
assault by Mandla Mandela.
THE family of the school teacher who was allegedly pistol-whipped by
Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, is appealing to provincial
commissioner Major-General Celiwe Binta to intervene in the matter as they
believe Mandla is receiving preferential treatment from the police.
The appeal follows Mlamli Ngudle, 44, undergoing an emergency operation
at Netcare’s St Anne’s Private Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, to remove a blood
clot from his brain on Thursday.
MANDLA MANDELA
The family believes the clot was caused by the beating he allegedly
received from Mandla last month.
“My husband is in hospital and Mandla, who has caused all this, is
strolling the streets a free man. It is now more than a month since my husband
was assaulted by him, yet police have yet to arrest him. Does this show the
justice system in South Africa allows those with famous families to be immune
from prosecution?” asked his wife, Chumisa Ngudle, 43.
Ngudle’s family not only complained about the lack of progress in the
case, but said police were keeping them in the dark about the processes being
followed.
“The investigating officer is not giving us feedback. The provincial
commissioner is our only hope to see the matter go forward,” his wife said.
She said since the incident her husband had complained about headaches
and his condition worsened last week.
“On Tuesday, he was admitted to hospital and on Thursday a blood clot
was found on his brain and an emergency operation was conducted.
“He is still in hospital,” she said yesterday.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said Mandla Mandela faces a charge of
assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing a firearm.
He said the case was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
for a decision on whether to prosecute and the family had been informed of
this.
NPA regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali said one of delays was with the
senior public prosecutor (SPP) of the Mthatha cluster.
“The SPP has been on sick leave for more than a week and we are still
taking statements from other people.”
Mandela has denied threatening Ngudle with a gun, countering Ngudle was
drunk and verbally insulted him.
Mandela claimed he was hosting a lunch for friends when Ngudle’s van
collided with a guest’s vehicle.
He said Ngudle refused to exchange details and instead became abusive,
hurling insults at him and his guests.
Mandela’s version has been disputed by Ngudle.
