Top politicians arrested in 2024, including former speaker – SABC News

In 2024, senior politicians such as former Speaker of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, former Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa and former African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson and ANC NEC member Pule Mabe were arrested.

All three politicians, who found themselves on the wrong side of the law, were arrested on charges of corruption and bribery related to kickbacks involving government contracts.

However, it would tell a different story when all three politicians found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Mapisa-Nqakula

Mapisa-Nqakula was the first to face the wrath of the law. She faces allegations of corruption during her tenure as defense minister.

It is alleged that she requested and received bribes worth 2.3 million lei.

State prosecutor lawyer Bheki Manyathi read out his charges in the Pretoria Magistrates Court.

“Your worship, the charges against Ms Mapisa Nqakula are 12 counts of corruption under Preca (Prevention and Combating Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004) and one count of money laundering under POCA (Revenue Act 2002). It is common cause that charges are framed within the five term of the Criminal Procedure Act. And the plaintiff has the burden of satisfying this court by presenting evidence.”

She is due back in court in January 2025 another delay in December.

Meanwhile, her legal representative, lawyer Willis Reginald, says she will apply to the Pretoria High Court to have her bail conditions relaxed.

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula | Case postponed to January 2025:

Zizi Kowda

While South Africans were still reeling from the news of Mapisa-Nqakula’s arrest, Kodwa along with his former EOH executive co-accused, Jehan Mackay would also be caught.

Kodwa was also charged under the Prevention of Organized Crime Act for allegedly solicited bribes worth 1.7 million lei.

“It is inconsistent with section 3 read with the relevant sections of the Prevention and Combination of Corrupt Activities Act 2004. On page eight, there are still the following charges, my lord. This is in violation of section four read with 11 sections of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act. The State submits that the charges preferred against both accused fall within the ambit of the Fifth Schedule’.

Kodwa can breathe a sigh of relief for now after the charges against him were dropped.

He says he will return to serve the ANC after resigning as Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Kodwa Corruption Case | Kodwa welcomes tax withdrawal:

Chick Mabe

Mabe was also arrested in October, along with six co-defendants. They were charged with 16 counts of fraud, money laundering and breach of the Public Finance Management Act.

This was for a contract set to supply the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development with 200 three-wheelers for waste management for small businesses.

Making his first appearance at Palm Ridge Magistrates Court with his co-accused, Mabe vehemently denied all the charges.

“I accept that the allegations against me are serious, but I deny that I am guilty of any charge or that I have committed any of those acts as alleged in the charge sheet. I am absolutely convinced that, if called upon to stand trial, I shall not be found guilty of any of the charges preferred against me. I maintain that I have no intention of fleeing across the South African border or attempting in any way to evade my trial.”

The case of Mabe and his co-defendant was adjourned until February next year.

Pule Mabe responds to fraud allegations: