Latest news with #PreventionandCombatingofCorruptActivitiesAct
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Former minister Bongani Bongo's pre-trial conference set for August
CAPE TOWN - Former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo will find himself back in the Western Cape High Court on corruption charges in August. It's alleged that Bongo offered a former parliamentary legal advisor a bribe to scupper a 2017 inquiry into State capture at Eskom at the time when he was a member of Parliament. Bongo made another appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates Court on Tuesday after the matter was re-enrolled in March, following the State's successful appeal against the high court's dismissal of the case in 2021. ALSO READ: It's been nearly eight years since Bongo is alleged to have attempted to derail Parliament's Eskom inquiry by offering a monetary bribe to its evidence leader, Ntuthuzelo Vanara. Vanara is now the legal head at the Special Investigating Unit. According to the 15-page indictment, the State has served on Bongo, the manner in which he's alleged to have offered the gratification to Vanara contravenes the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act relating to public office bearers. The high court previously acquitted Bongo before he could testify after his legal team applied for a discharge, and former judge John Hlophe tore into witness testimony from parliamentary staff for not being credible. The State successfully appealed Hlophe's ruling to refuse leave to appeal in the Supreme Court. In this second attempt to try Bongo four years later, the case has now been transferred to the High Court once again for a pre-trial conference on 15 August 2025.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa will not testify in Phala Phala trial
The case was postponed due to an accused's pregnancy. At least 22 witnesses are lined up to testify in the Phala Phala trial, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says. Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph and Froliana Joseph appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's farm in February 2020. They are accused of breaking in and stealing $580 000 (about R10.4 million). ALSO READ: ConCourt ruling on Phala Phala report 'not a blow' for Ramaphosa – Presidency On Monday, Magistrate Peter Manthata granted a postponement of the matter to 15 September, 2025 due to Froliana Joseph's pregnancy. NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the 22 witnesses lined up for the trial showed that the state had a strong case against the three. However, the president will not be among the witnesses. 'We can get someone from the farm. It could be a manager or administrator to be part of the trial, not the president,' Malabi-Dzhangi told the SABC. ALSO READ: Many compliance questions remain in Phala Phala dollar saga She added that the NPA had filed an extradition request with the Namibian government for two more suspects. She said the trial against the three would continue while the state attempts to extradite the other two. Phala Phala spotlight The burglary at Ramaphosa's farm was brought to light by former State Security Agency director-general Arthur Fraser after reporting the matter to the police in June 2022. Fraser accused Ramaphosa of kidnapping and money laundering, triggering investigations into the president. In November 2022, an independent panel appointed by then-National Assembly speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula found that there was 'prima facie' evidence that Ramaphosa may have violated sections 96(2)(a) of the constitution and 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act with the aim of keeping the investigation of the burglary private. ALSO READ: 'Phala Phala will never die' – EFF and ATM take on Ramaphosa and NA over panel's report In March 2023, members of parliament voted against a DA motion to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the burglary at the farm. Since then the NPA has decided not to pursue prosecution against Ramaphosa, while the Public Protector, the South African Revenue Service and the South African Reserve Bank have cleared him of wrongdoing. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing in the farm matter. 'I have endeavoured, throughout my tenure as president, not only to abide by my oath but to set an example of respect for the constitution, for its institutions, for due process and the law. 'I categorically deny that I have violated this oath in any way, and I similarly deny that I am guilty of any of the allegations made against me,' he previously said in a statement. READ: NEXT: 'No dirty dollars' – Ramaphosa calls out DA for 'jumping to conclusions' about farm matter
