The embattled leader of the African National Congress Women League (ANCWL) Bathabile Dlamini appeared in court yesterday, February 9, to answer for charges bordering on perjury.
Also at the court hearing yesterday were some party members sympathetic to her, including former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo and suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Dlamini, a former social development minister, was recommended by the Constitutional Court to be investigated in the social grant distribution crisis that rocked South Africa in 2017.
As a minister, she was said to have lied under oath in relation to the social grants distribution crisis.
The inquiry also found that she had falsely claimed not to have attended meetings of the workstreams although she had asked that workstreams report to her.
During the proceedings, the court recording machine malfunctioned, causing magistrate Betty Khumalo to adjourn the case briefly.
Now, Dlamini will have to wait until April 1 to know whether she’d be sent to the slammer or given asked to pay a fine. Her sentencing later next month will determine a lot of things, including whether she would continue in her position as ANCWL head.
By the way, Dlamini is a staunch Zuma supporter who had stood by the former president during his trial for corruption.
