DA lays corruption charges against State Security Minister Bongani Bongo

22 November 2017

I have today laid corruption charges against the Minister of State Security, Bongani Bongo in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act.

These charges relate directly to the allegations that Bongo has allegedly offered to bribe Advocate Ntuthuzelo Vanara, the evidence leader in the parliamentary enquiry into state capture at Eskom.

These allegations reveal that Bongo offered Advocate Vanara a bribe in exchange for stepping down as evidence leader in the enquiry.

The DA views Minister Bongo’s actions as a gross violation of the provisions of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and the associated Executive Ethics Code which, amongst others, prohibits ministers from using their position to enrich themselves or improperly benefit any other person and requires that ministers fulfill all obligations imposed upon them by the constitution and law.

These allegations point to a deeply concerning trend at the State Security Agency (SSA), and as such, the charges aim to ensure that credibility and the rule of law is restored within the SSA.

We trust these allegations will be taken seriously and investigated fully.

Issued by John Steenhuisen, Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance, 22 November 2017