Ngombane: State drops charges

2006-09-27 17:02

Bloemfontein - All charges against the wife of murdered senior Free State official Noby Ngombane and her family were withdrawn in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

"You are free to go," Free State Judge-President J P Malherbe told the five accused after their three-minute appearance in the High Court.

Ngombane's wife, Nokwanda, her brother and sister, Bongani and Thandiswa, and two cousins, Vuyokazi Mlambo and Sephumle Booi, faced charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.

Ngombane, a senior official in Premier Beatrice Marshoff's office and adviser to two former premiers, was shot dead at his Hillsboro home in Bloemfontein on March 22 2005.

Acting director in the national prosecuting authority's Bloemfontein office, André du Toit, said the State was initially sure it had a prima facie case against the five.

Investigations to continue

"After consultation with the witnesses and further investigation we came to the conclusion that there was no reasonable chance of a successful prosecution."

The State said a judicial inquiry would now be held into the matter.

Investigations into Ngombane's murder would continue in order to "apprehend the guilty party or parties", said Du Toit.

- SAPA