South African Speaker Faces Corruption Charges Over Bribery Allegations

Armed police patrol outside the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, Monday March 25, 2024. South African prosecutors say they intend to charge the Parliament speaker with corruption. They allege she

In a recent development, South African prosecutors have announced their intention to charge the parliamentary speaker with corruption. The allegations suggest that over a three-year period while serving as defense minister, the speaker received bribes totaling $135,000 along with a wig.

The parliamentary speaker, who has not been arrested or charged, is currently contesting the allegations, claiming that authorities did not properly inform her of the accusations or follow correct investigative procedures.

During a court hearing, the judge indicated that a ruling on the speaker's application for a temporary block on potential arrest would be delivered on April 2. Additionally, the speaker has requested access to documents outlining the evidence against her, a request that prosecutors have rejected, citing a plea for special treatment.

Speaker received bribes totaling $135,000 and a wig over three years.

Prosecutors intend to charge the speaker with corruption allegations.

Speaker contests allegations, claiming lack of proper information and procedures.

According to court documents, the speaker allegedly received 11 payments amounting to $135,000 between December 2016 and July 2019. Furthermore, there was an attempt to solicit an additional bribe of $105,000, which was not fulfilled. One specific incident mentioned in the papers details a meeting at the country's main international airport in February 2019, where the speaker reportedly received over $15,000 and a wig.

Prosecutors have extended an offer for the speaker to voluntarily surrender at a police station to face formal charges, with an assurance that they would not oppose bail. Despite the allegations, the speaker has maintained her innocence and expressed willingness to cooperate with the authorities following a recent search of her residence and seizure of evidence.

Having taken a leave of absence from her role as Parliament's speaker, the speaker's case resurfaced after a whistleblower came forward last year, reigniting a corruption scandal that has cast a shadow over the ruling African National Congress party ahead of the upcoming national election on May 29.

These developments mark the latest chapter in a series of corruption scandals that have plagued the political landscape in South Africa, underscoring the ongoing challenges of combating graft and upholding integrity within the government.

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