NPA withdraws fraud charges against Gwamanda and his co-accused

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn fraud charges against former Johannesburg mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda and his co-accused, Mduduzi Zondo.

They're accused of defrauding Soweto residents through a funeral scheme between 2011 and 2012.

The pair made a brief appearance in the Protea Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, where the State revealed that it was provisionally withdrawing charges against them.

Gwamanda said that he was not surprised that the case had been dropped as the State had a weak case.

"The State had no choice but to withdraw the case because, as indicated previously, there is no evidence that points to any activities of fraud. It is an issue of a political attack."