KNYSNA NEWS - In a letter sent to Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) by Mandla Tyololo, one of the four accused in the murder trial of Knysna Municipality councillor Victor Molosi, Tyololo thanked all those who supported him during his trial. Tyololo was acquitted last year.

Molosi was gunned down near his home in Concordia, Knysna on 23 July 2018 and the three men charged with his murder, former Ward 4 Councillor Velile Waxa, former municipal official Mawande Makhala and Cape Town resident Vela Patrick Dumile, were convicted on 11 December last year.

Tyololo was taken into custody and charged with conspiracy to commit murder in 2018 after Molosi's killing. He was acquitted of all charges against him by the Knysna Regional Court on 25 August last year.

In the letter Tyololo extends special thanks to everyone that supported him "during the most difficult and unforgettable time of my life, even though it was so unfashionable for anyone to associate with me under such a volatile situation.''

He also thanked his family, colleagues and "real friends''. "I sincerely appreciate every single support you offered me by choice," he said. "I do not want to say a lot about those who conspired against me with all their endearers [sic] aiming at tarnishing my image and assassinating my character, I bless them."

But he added, ''I wish that the police and NPA could learn to maintain the necessary and unquestionable competency which is expected of them to be able to differentiate between crime and politics that alone will assist and enable them to avoid compromising the credibility of respective departments and defend their integrity.''

In response to this, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said, "The insinuation made by Mandla Goodwish Tyololo is unfortunate and unfounded. The NPA has and is still committed to prosecuting without fear, favour and prejudice."

The Southern Cape police did not respond to a request for comment by the time of going to print.

In his letter, with the heading ''Message of Appreciation", Tyololo also expressed the hope that ''politicians will learn and stop using their political power to influence and misuse the state organs to fulfil their selfish and narrow interest.''

The letter ends: "Lastly, I commend my sober legal team from Dercksen's Attorneys, particularly Mr Jerome Bans who represented me in court, for standing firm in ensuring that justice is served and not to forget the judiciary for applying the law in my rescue with my future and life about to be so mercilessly destroyed by my worst enemies. I thank you all, God bless.''

Asked if he will be taking actions against the state, Tyololo said he is still consulting his attorneys on the matter.

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