By Celani Sikhakhane
A top corruption case has revived a former National Prosecuting Authority boss’s legal career after he was roped in to defend senior officials from Nongoma municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud.
On Wednesday, controversial advocate Shaun Abrahams, once dubbed “Shaun the Sheep”, appeared at Nongoma Magistrate’s Court on behalf of municipal manager Mthandeni Zungu and supply-chain manager Njabulo Manqele.
Other accused include the chief financial officer Njabulo Dludla, Hezekiah Zungu, the municipal manager’s bodyguard, and his wife, Sibahle Mgabhi.
These three have their own defence lawyers.
Abrahams lost his job in 2018 after the Constitutional Court ruled that his appointment was an abuse of power by former president Jacob Zuma.
The magistrate postponed the case to 29 September and 16 October, and it will now take place in Richards Bay for the accused’s convenience.
The top officials were arrested in March this year, some in full view of municipal workers and community members.
The arrests have caused infighting in the municipality, as some believe the case is politically motivated.
Pictured above: Advocate Shaun Abrahams with clients Njabulo Manqele and Mthandeni Zungu at their Wednesday hearing at the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court.
Source: Supplied
