Appeal can bring different outcome‚ says Mandla Mandela’s lawyer on assault conviction

02 December 2015 - 12:38 By Lulamile Feni

Mandla Mandela‚ who lost an appeal against his assault conviction and sentence in the Mthatha High Court on Friday‚ will now appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA). Mandela’s attorney Billy Gundelfinger on Tuesday confirmed that they were taking the matter to another court.“Yes‚ we are appealing the decision. We are petitioning the Supreme Court of Appeals.“We feel that another court can come with a different outcome on the matter‚” said Gundelfinger.He did not give details about the appeal‚ but added: “After 10 days I may tell you more about it.”Mandela declined to comment and referred all queries to Gundelfinger.“Unfortunately‚ I don’t comment about court matters‚ but please contact my lawyer Billy‚” said Mandela.National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali confirmed his appeal was dismissed by the Mthatha High Court on Friday.“This is a vindication for us. It shows that we have a strong case against him. Now the ball is in his court. We want justice to be done‚” said Tyali.The ANC MP and head of the Mandela royal house and chief of Mvezo – the birthplace of Nelson Mandela – was found guilty by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court of assaulting motorist Mlamli Ngudle in October 2013.The court had heard that he slapped‚ kicked and stomped on Ngudle‚ a teacher and a prince of AmaMpondomise from the royal house of Ngudle at KuKhambi administrative area near Tsolo.Ngudle had been driving an Isuzu bakkie when he bumped a BMW X5 belonging to an investor having lunch with Mandla in the Mthatha CBD.The accident happened when Ngudle tried to reverse out of a driveway.Mandela was earlier sentenced to a fine of R10000 or three years in jail‚ all suspended‚ for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm by the Mthatha Regional Court.Ngudle could not be reached for comment as his cellphone was on voicemail on Tuesday.The NPA had‚ before sentencing‚ called for Mandela to serve time in prison‚ saying it would send a strong message to the public that no one was above the law. – TMG Digital/Daily Dispatch..

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