Former crime intelligence boss Mdluli acquitted on intimidation charges
Former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has been acquitted of intimidation charges.
Mdluli was convicted of kidnapping and assault in the high court in Johannesburg earlier this year.
The judgment comes after the Constitutional Court found that sections of the Intimidation Act were unconstitutional, as it limited the right to freedom of expression.
In the judgment, which Justice Leona Theron handed down last month, the court found that Sections 1(1)(b) and 1(2) of the Intimidation Act 72 of 1982 limited freedom of expression.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng Phindi Mjonondwane says the charges were found to be unconstitutional.
"The deliberations before court, as advanced by the state, is that Mr Richard Mdluli is now entitled to an acquittal on all four counts of intimidation.
"And therefore as the NPA we accept the court decision."
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The charges relate to the 1999 kidnapping and assault of Oupa Ramogibe, who was married to Mdluli's former lover Tshidi Buthelezi.
Mdluli was convicted on four counts of intimidation, two counts of common assault, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of assault with intending to inflict grievous bodily harm, while his co-accused Mthembeni Mthunzi was also convicted on two counts of kidnapping, two counts of assaults and two counts of assault with intending to inflict grievous bodily harm.
He is set to be sentenced on the remaining charges in February.
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