It has been a week of mixed fortunes for former State Security Minister and African National Congress (ANC) MP Bongani Bongo.
On Friday he was let off the hook on corruption and money laundering charges in the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court after he and seven co-accused applied for a discharge.
Bongo had been implicated along with his brother and several others in dodgy land sales in Mpumalanga.
In a separate matter on Monday, the Supreme Court of Appeal granted the state a re-trial against him in another corruption matter in the Western Cape High Court.
Bongo told the publication he was ready to re-face the corruption charges in the Western Cape where the state argues that he attempted to bribe an evidence leader in a parliamentary inquiry back in 2017.
He had been successful in applying for a discharge in that case in 2021, which former judge president John Hlophe dismissed over lack of evidence.
But that ruling has since been overturned by the Supreme Court.
Bongo had corruption charges dismissed against him in an unrelated matter dating back to his tenure in Mpumalanga’s human settlements department when suspect farm sale transactions were made.
The discharge leaves the state with nine accused including corporate entities.
NPA Spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said that going forward the NPA will proceed with options to appeal the section 174 on a point of law on the ruling granted to the discharged accused.
The matter has been postponed to the 26th of August when the trial will continue with the remaining accused who face 14 counts of corruption and eight of money laundering.
-EWN
In other news – Mihlali under fire for trying to do Rihanna dirty
Well-known Mzansi content creator, and media personality, Mihlali Ndamase has been dragged on social media for trying to “outshine” Rihanna in a shady social media post. The South African influencer was recently invited to a Fenty beauty event by the singer with whom she snapped pictures.
However, the YouTuber is accused of using “mean girl energy” by deliberately trying to portray the Barbadon beauty in an unflattering light. Read More
