MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT APPEARS IN COURT ON A CHARGE OF CORRUPTION
21 NOVEMBER 2019
South African Member of Parliament, Bongani Bongo, appeared at Cape Town Magistrates Court this morning on a charge of corruption after he offered Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara an unlawful gratification.
Bongo was released on bail of R5 000 with conditions not to interfere with any state witnesses and to inform the investigating officer two weeks prior his planned travel outside of the country either through a telephone call, email or WhatsApp. The investigating officer must respond within 24 hours to acknowledge receipt of the request.
The investigation in the matter is finalised and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Western Cape, Advocate Rodney de Kock, has decided to try it in the Western Cape High Court. The State is in a position to postpone for a high court date but the defence indicated that they wish to make representations to the DPP for a review of the decision to prosecute.
This case dates back to 2017 after Adv Vanara was appointed as evidence leader into the enquiry by the Standing Committee of Public Enterprises into the affairs of State owned entities particularly Eskom.