The case against former Knysna mayor Thando Matika and two others has been postponed. Matika alongside Acting Municipal Manager, Boy Ngubo and Acting CFO Busisiwe Lubhelwana appeared in the local magistrate’s court on charges of corruption, extortion and money laundering.

Their bail application is set to take place next Monday. The trio was arrested last week over allegations that they extorted a businessman after he had secured a security service contract.

The ANC has since removed Matika, who is a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP) from the candidate list for the upcoming local government elections.

He was contesting as mayor and councillor. Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke has since stepped in as acting mayor.