Former Mamelodi Sundowns player Phakamani Mahlambi is expected to mount a spirited fight to stay out of jail when he appears in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on May 22.
Sunday World can exclusively reveal that Mahlambi will submit representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to review the decision of the prosecutor to charge him with domestic violence.
Mahlambi is also expected to ask the NPA to drop the -assault case his girlfriend had filed against him.
The development comes after his girlfriend informed the police officers investigating the case that she intends to withdraw the assault case she opened against the footie at Sebenza police station, in Kempton Park, East Rand, a fortnight ago. The police arrested Mahlambi after his girlfriend laid the charge.
In a police statement, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleged that the former Al Ahly player assaulted her when she told him that her cousin would visit them and help them to resolve their problems.
Mahlambi lost his cool and asked her why she was telling him that in front of his friends who had come to visit him. He then slapped her in the face and punched her in the solar plexus afterwards.
Mahlambi was arrested and was released on R500 bail when he appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
However, subsequent to his arrest, the victim informed the police that she intended to withdraw the case.
Sebenza police station spokesperson sergeant Sharron Tsotsotso confirmed that Mahlambi’s girlfriend has told police that she plans to withdraw the case against the former player, who also played for former PSL side Bidvest Wits.
“The suspect was released on R500 bail, but I don’t think he will appear again in court because the girlfriend intends to withdraw the case against him,” Tsotsotso said.
NPA South Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that Mahlambi will appear in the same court on May 22 for representations.
“We can confirm that the accused will submit representation to review the decision by the prosecutor to charge him with the case,” she said.
Given the severity of -gender-based violence in South Africa, a cop who wished to remain anonymous, said the NPA planned to oppose Mahlambi’s application to review the decision.
“Remember that President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared gender-based violence a pandemic and, as a result, the NPA does not easily withdraw the charges against the perpetrators because it would send the wrong message to the public that it does not take violence against women seriously,” the police officer stated.
The cop added that the NPA was likely to ask Mahlambi to attend anger management classes before considering dropping the charges against him.
