The Stellenbosch deputy executive mayor, as well as two other suspects, were recently released on bail after appearing in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court in relation to the murder of the former Stellenbosch deputy mayor, Cameron Mcako.
This was according to Sebenzile Zono, a clerk at the department of justice and constitutional development. The current deputy mayor, Nyaniso Jindela (56), along with his wife, Unathi Jindela (46), and another male suspect, Gladstone Relegu (48), each received bail of R5 000, according to Zono. They will appear in the Western Cape High Court on 11 June, following their appearance in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court on 3 June, said Zono.
Nyaniso Jindela, the Stellenbosch deputy executive mayor, along with Unathi Jindela and Gladstone Relegu, have received bail and are set to appear in Cape Town High Court on 11 June. All three are suspects in an ongoing murder investigation. PHOTO: Sourced/Stellenbosch Municipality
The suspects were taken into custody by Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS) on 2 June, in connection with the murder of Mcako in 2019, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality. The municipality views this allegation in a very serious light, he added.
“The municipal manager has referred the matter to the Office of the Speaker for handling in terms of Schedule 1 of the Municipal Systems Act (Code of Conduct for Councillors),” said Grobbelaar in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
Nyaniso Jindela, Unathi Jindela and Gladstone Relegu appeared in Stellenbosch magistrates’ court on 3 June, in connection with the murder of Cameron Mcako, former Stellenbosch deputy executive mayor, in 2019. PHOTO: Sourced/Unsplash
Mcako was shot and wounded at his tavern in Kayamandi on 1 November 2019, said Captain Nathalie Martin, spokesperson for Stellenbosch SAPS. He died two days later in hospital, she added.
“[The three suspects] appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court [on 3 June] on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder,” said Martin.
Grobbelaar said that the police investigation should be allowed to run its course thoroughly and transparently, to ensure that justice is served. At this stage, any further queries around the case should be directed to Stellenbosch SAPS, the political party concerned and the provincial minister for local government and development planning, he added.
This is a developing story.
Contributors: Lara van Zyl, Caitlin Maledo and Alexander Brand