Just News |
The trial against the former Minister of the Department of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini is set to begin at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 24 November 2021. Dlamini lied under oath in August 2021 in her testimony during an inquiry established by the Constitutional Court into her role in the 2017 social grants crisis.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the establishment of the inquiry that was chaired by former Judge President B M Ngoepe, stemmed from a Constitutional Court application brought by Black Sash Trust, joined by Freedom Under Law over the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and Dlamini’s failure as the Accounting Officer, to appoint a service provider for the distribution of social grants.
“In September 2018, the Constitutional Court found that Dlamini not only failed in her duties as a minister but also failed to disclose information to the inquiry for fear of being held liable for the 2017 crisis.”
Dlamini made her first appearance on 21 September 2021 and the matter was postponed to 01 October for disclosure of the contents of the docket to her legal team.
She is expected to state her plea before the state calls its first witness.
