The trial of former Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini, will resume at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning. She’s facing a charge of perjury, after she allegedly lied under oath during an inquiry into the South African Social Security Agency SASSA’s grants crisis in 2017.
Judge Bernard Ngoepe had chaired the inquiry. During her last appearance, former SASSA CEO Thokozani Magwaza gave evidence that Dlamini often interfered with the internal operations of the agency.
However, the defence team for Dlamini has applied for her to be acquitted of all the charges against her. Dlamini has pleaded not guilty to perjury.
She will know on Friday whether she is acquitted or not. Magistrate Betty Khumalo, who is presiding over the trial, is expected to hear arguments from both the State and defense team, then make a ruling on the matter.
The start of this trial has been marred by numerous postponements due to the non-availability of witnesses, which wasn’t taken kindly by both the Magistrate and the Defense team.
Source: News365
In other news – Sad news for media personality Pearl Modiadie
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