Former Newcastle Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba has been sentenced to a fine of R20 000 or two years imprisonment in the Newcastle Regional Court.

He was convicted of incitement to commit assault in terms of the Riotous Assemblies Act.

It is related to an incident that took place in Newcastle last year.

National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson, Natasha Kara says they welcome the ruling.

“The incident occurred in September 2020 when some workers were digging trenches meant for fibre cables since the High Court had granted an interdict for the work to stop. Several community members including Mahlaba went to the workers serving them with the interdict asking them to stop the work. When the workers refused to stop, Mahlaba instructed unknown people to assault the workers. The people who assaulted the workers also took their tools and damaged the fibre cables. The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the successful prosecution,” says Kara.