D.A. Refers Case Against Consulate Official to City

County prosecutors declined to file charges Monday against a South African consular official who allegedly assaulted his wife, but referred the case to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office for review.

Mpendulo Kumalo, 42, the second-highest ranking official at South Africa’s consulate in Beverly Hills, initially claimed he had diplomatic immunity when police officers responded to his North Hollywood home Thursday. Police learned later that he had only “official acts” immunity, which shields only his work-related actions.

Officers found Kumalo’s wife had suffered scratches in a fight, but the district attorney’s office found “insufficient evidence for a felony filing,” said spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons. Kumalo’s wife also accused him of taking $150 worth of items from her purse, Gibbons said.

Officials from the city attorney’s office were reviewing the evidence in the case Monday, but had not decided whether to file misdemeanor charges, said spokesman Mike Qualls. Misdemeanor spousal battery carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $6,000 fine, Qualls said.