uMhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi has been found not guilty in a crimen injuria case linked to comments he made during a television interview.
The matter was heard in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court after complaints were laid against Ngwezi by a businessman and a member of the uMhlathuze Council.
The complainants accused the mayor of making defamatory and derogatory remarks during an interview on 1KZN TV in 2025.
The court found that the allegations against Ngwezi lacked substance and were unfounded.
It also found that the mayor did not intend to impair the dignity of the complainants. Instead, the court accepted that Ngwezi was responding to allegations that had been made against him on the same media platform.
Ngwezi has described the charges as politically motivated and said they were meant to distract him from his work as mayor.
After the ruling, he thanked members of council, IFP leadership, coalition partners, municipal staff and his family for supporting him during the case.
“Our duty is to go out and serve the people,” Ngwezi said.
In simple terms, the court found that Ngwezi’s comments were part of a response to allegations made against him, and not a criminal attack on the dignity of the complainants.
The ruling clears the mayor of the crimen injuria charge and allows him to continue with his duties as mayor of uMhlathuze.