Principal to plead not guilty to Zovuyo Mbana’s murder

A Buffalo City Metro primary school principal and church leader accused of murdering a young businesswoman has told a magistrate he intends to plead not guilty and believes he will be acquitted. George Plaatjies, who was arrested on March 31 on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for his bail application. He also faces a charge of defeating the ends of justice.

The burnt body ofZovuyo Mbana, 30, was discovered alongside the N6 near Kwetyana village on March 30. Mbana, a single mother, was last seen leaving her business premises in Southernwood. Plaatjies’ co-accused, Temoso Manamela, Aviwe Jilingise and Ramodi Rethabile Gladys, abandoned theirbail applications.

Police said after the arrests that the suspected mastermind had allegedly paid Mbana’s killers about R11,000. In an affidavit read by his attorney, Reece Collett, Plaatjies said he supported his wife, Felicity, a nurse, their son Joshua, and his 84-year-old mother, with whom he had “a strong bond”. Plaatjies said his continued detention would place strain on his family, particularly as he was responsible for a home loan, municipal accounts which were in arrears and repayments on two vehicles.

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He said his wife suffered from an incurable disease and his release was necessary so he could care for her. Plaatjies said in the affidavit that Pefferville Primary School, where he is the principal, had been affected by his detention. He said he was responsible for authorising payments and that some staff had not been paid as a result of his incarceration.

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