Bhabata could be fined, evicted

SITEKI - After confessing that he lied by claiming to have survived an attempted ritual murder, Bhabata Maseko has been charged by the Malindza Royal Kraal.

According to sources, Maseko faces two counts of bringing the name of the umphakatsi into disrepute and further setting the chief against his subjects.
“If found guilty, he could be fined heavily or even be evicted because he made a false statement to the chief and further caused him to commission an investigation into his story, knowing very well that he was lying,” a source said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Maseko appeared before the inner council and the investigating team set up by the chief to look into reports of ritual murders in the area.

This occurred shortly after he had apologised to the three aspiring politicians whom he had accused of attempted ritual murders in the area.
It is said during the meeting, Maseko was informed of his charges and further asked to explain the circumstances surrounding the issue.
He reportedly failed to explain why he made up the story but instead made new allegations, which are currently being investigated by the royal kraal’s investigating team.

Shadrack Tsabedze, a member of the investigating team, confirmed Maseko’s appearance before the team but declined to comment on the charges.
He said: “What I can say is that, during questioning, he made new allegations when explaining the whole issue. We are currently focusing on those allegations and he will be appearing before the team (this coming) Thursday,” said Tsabedze.

Tsabedze, however, did not rule out the possibility of Maseko being fined should evidence emerge that the whole story was a deliberate smear campaign targeted at aspiring politicians in the area.

Meanwhile, Police Deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Khulani Mamba warned people against spreading such stories.
Asked if the police were going to charge Maseko for his actions, Mamba said no before adding: “The aspiring politicians can, however, sue Maseko for defamation of character.”

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