Paul Kirk
The deputy mayor of Durban has been charged with assault after being accused of attacking four teenagers with electrical garden equipment, sjamboks and knobkieries.
Mveli Mavundla, the African National Congress deputy mayor of Durban Metro, appeared briefly in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court this week after allegedly assaulting four teenagers accused of being thieves. Apart from assaulting them with sjamboks and knobkieries police also suspect that Mavundla and other accomplices may have used a Weedeater – a power tool used to trim grass verges – on the children.
The assaults occurred after a group of vigilantes went on an illegal door-to- door search in Umlazi’s AA section – apparently looking for stolen property. Four teenagers were kidnapped during this raid and taken to the Umlazi football grounds, where Mavundla’s official car was parked. In statements to the police the abducted children claim that Mavundla beat them to a bloody pulp.
During the alleged assault two boys managed to escape after receiving only superficial wounds. However, police say they are deeply concerned as they have not been seen since.
One victim, 14-year-old Nkosi Sangweni, had to be hospitalised for three days unable to walk and with severe injuries to his throat and legs.
The assaults ceased only when police from Bhekithemba police station arrived on the scene after receiving complaints of screaming from nearby residents. At this point most of the culprits fled the scene, except Mavundla, who allegedly remained behind to verbally abuse police.
Mavundla denied having beaten the boys, who made statements only after receiving medical attention. Mavundla could not be reached at home or on his cellphone for comment after his brief appearance in court.
ANC regional secretary Lucky Gabela said Mavundla had been wrongly charged.