The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Speaker of Nongoma Local Municipality are set to spend the next four days behind bars following their first court appearance today.

Clifford Mshangane Ndabandaba of the National Freedom Party (NFP), Sabelo Nkosi from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Babongile Sithole from the African National Congress (ANC) were arrested on Friday morning and charged with corruption.

The trio appeared before the Nongoma Magistrate’s Court. However, they could not apply for bail and their matter was postponed to Friday, when they are expected to make a formal bail application.

This is when the public will get to know the full details of the corruption allegations that landed them in jail.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Sbusiso Mhlongo, the chairperson of the ANC in the Mzala Nxumalo region (Zululand) said they will support their comrades as coalition partners.

“We are of the principle that everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” said Mhlongo.

Ndida Sokhela, Deputy President of the NFP, also attended the court proceedings to show support for Ndabandaba and the others. Sokhela reassured the public that despite these developments, the focus would remain on prioritising the residents of Nongoma and ensuring stability within the municipality.