Former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli.
Picture: Veli Nhlapo
Charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli and his co-accused may be dropped if the High Court in Johannesburg grants their application for a discharge in the case relating to the murder and kidnapping of Mdluli’s former lover’s husband.
Mdluli and former policeman Mthembeni Mthunzi face charges relating to the 1999 kidnapping and murder of Oupa Ramogibe‚ who was married to Mdluli’s lover Tshidi Buthelezi.
The men are also accused of intimidation‚ assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm‚ kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The state has now closed its case and the defence will file next week an application for a discharge in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
According to the Act: “If‚ at the close of the case for the prosecution at any trial‚ the court is of the opinion that there is no evidence that the accused committed the offence referred to in the charge or any offence of which he may be convicted on the charge‚ it may return a verdict of not guilty.”
Charges against Mdluli were withdrawn in 2012‚ but reinstated in 2014 after lobby group Freedom Under Law successfully challenged the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to drop the charges.
- TMG Digital
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