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Picture courtesy: (The Citizen/Micheal Bega) An NPA prosecutor accused of corruption and extortion has been granted bail.
(The Post News)- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that Ignacia Koketso Mahlakwane has been granted bail of R5,000.
The district prosecutor was released following her arrest on charges of corruption, extortion, and obstruction of justice in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Mahlakwane allegedly solicited a fee of between R70,000 and R80,000 on July 6, 2023, with her accomplice to refuse to prosecute the case of a man who was appearing before the same court on a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
However, the man, who is now the complainant, refused to pay the amount demanded.
“On October 24, 2023, Mahlakwane, acting in common purpose with her accomplice, allocated a J175 summons for the man to appear at Court C at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court,” said Mahanjana.
The complainant reported the incident to the police.
According to the NPA, Makhlakhwane was arrested at her workplace in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, June 26, following an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Detectives Unit.
Following the bail application being granted without objection, the case has been postponed to August 28 for further investigation.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shalima Batohi, admitted that the NPA as a premier corruption-fighting organ has been an uphill task.
At a media roundtable a few weeks ago, Batohi spoke about the NPA’s priorities and strategic initiatives, mentioning certain hindering challenges and geopolitical changes.
Batohi remained confident that progress was being made in stabilising the NPA’s leadership, building capacity, and working with civil society and international experts.
Listing the most prominent targets of prosecution, Batohi said, “We are a relatively young democracy, yet they are going after former ministers, former presidents of the country, and some of the most powerful CEOs and CFOs across the country.”
Early this year, the NPA prosecuted the former National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, for bribery and corruption during her term as defence minister.
Subsequently, former sports, arts, and culture minister Zizi Kodwa was brought to court and charged over allegations that he accepted bribes totalling about R1.7 million from businessman and former EOH boss Jehan Mackay.
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