Charges dropped against fireman

THEFT charges have been withdrawn against a former fireman who was accused of stealing computer parts from the Ndlambe municipality.

Sibusiso Zweni, who entered the spotlight a year ago as one of the leaders of housing protests which shut down the R67, had an internal disciplinary hearing related to the theft before any charges were laid with SAPS. Fire chief Mervyn Sauls had called for Zweni’s suspension in a letter sent to the directorate of community protection services.

However, the outcome of the disciplinary hearing saw Zweni being reinstated. He was still employed by the fire department at the time of the housing protests, when his colleagues were putting out fires across the R67 started by the protestors being led by Zweni.

The protests turned violent and two protestors were arrested after throwing stones at police.

After the municipality initially delayed in laying a charge against Zweni, EFF member Xolisa Runeli laid a charge of contravening chapter 2 of The Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004 against community protections services director Nombulelo Booysen “for failing to report a crime”.

A case related to the theft of computer equipment was withdrawn in March, after a witness failed to appear in the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court.

TotT has since learned that Zweni is no longer employed as a fireman.