An Extension 11-woman Sihle Majola, who is also a member of MK Party, was released on warning at the Mamelodi Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Taking into consideration that Majola is presently unemployed and depends on the government’s R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, the Magistrate released her on a warning and the prosecution did not oppose her bail application.
Majola is also facing cases of defamation of character and intimidation opened against her by local Ward Councillor Ananias Mogalusi.
The case of malicious damage to property was opened against her by a member of the community who alleges that Majola destroyed his property last week in Extension 11, in the Far East of Mamelodi.
The case of defamation of character against her was opened by Councillor Mogalusi, who alleges that Majola defamed him by spreading rumours that he was corrupt and that he was working with local criminal gang Boko Haram to take away municipal housing stands from deserving beneficiaries and giving such stands to his acquaintances.
Mogalusi also opened a case of intimidation as Majola allegedly threatened him.
Majola’s case was postponed to 14 November 2024, to allow further investigation by the police.
Her bail conditions entail that she must not contact witnesses to this case in whatever form or for whatever reason.
Last week Majola was denied bail with the reason being that the police still had to verify her address and also check whether she doesn’t have any criminal cases pending against her.
Majola’s son Nkosinomusa Gwebu told Tshwane Talks that she was happy to see his mother released and that this will make her feel better as this issue was haunting her mother while inside police cells.
Gwebu said her mother’s release would disappoint those who were singing against her and calling for her not to be released.
He appealed to the police investigators to probe this case properly according to the law and arrive at the truth, this as the case is politicaly-motivated according to him.
MK chairperson in the Ward Jack Simelani told Tshwane Talks that he was happy to see Majola released as the case is politicaly-motivated in that it involves the local Ward Councillor Mogalusi.
He said Mogalusi feels threatened by Sihle Majola in terms of the upcoming 2026 local government elections as she is the best candidate in the ward compared to Mogalusi.
“We are heart-broken that Sihle has been granted bail because she is definitely going to break her bail conditions and will eventually turn against the MK Party itself in the long run,” said a disappointed ANC lady supporter.
“Sihle is ungrateful, she is fighting against people who helped her get a stand which she actually didn’t deserve as she had never lived as a squatter before, she is fighting against the very ANC that got her a housing stand,” said the embittered woman.
Speaking to Tshwane Talks after being released on bail on Thursday, Sihle Majola said the accusations levelled at her are not true at all and that she is actually being subjected to GBV by this arrest.
“There is no proper law-enforcement measures in South Africa and the President and the Premiers always talk about GBV but when that GBV is being perpetrated against me by members of the ANC, then it is no longer regarded as GBV,” she said.
She bemoaned the fact that she and other residents always vote for Councillors but in the long run the selfsame Councillors turn against them and abuse them.
She expressed concern that this case against her may end up with her having a criminal record.