Bathabile Dlamini

Bathabile Dlamini’s attempt to avoid perjury charges has failed to gain traction. Image: GCIS/ Flickr

Bathabile Dlamini sentenced to four years imprisonment or a hefty fine

Bathabile Dlamini was sentenced for perjury by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. She’ll either pay up or go to jail with a partly suspended sentence.

Bathabile Dlamini

Bathabile Dlamini’s attempt to avoid perjury charges has failed to gain traction. Image: GCIS/ Flickr

Bathabile Dlamini was sentenced to imprisonment or a fine for perjury by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 1 April.

DLAMINI SENTENCED

Magistrate Betty Khumalo said her sentence considered the severity of the offence and the best interests of society and the offender.

Dlamini was sentenced to a fine of R200 000 or four years imprisonment.

“Half of the sentence is suspended for a period of five years under the condition that the accused is not convicted of the offence of perjury,” said the magistrate.

Dlamini has the right to appeal the judgement. A leave to appeal must be filed within 14 days.

The former Minister of Social Development was found guilty of perjury for giving false evidence under oath at a commission of inquiry into SASSA grants set up by the Constitutional Court.

The State pushed for a direct imprisonment sentence but conceded that a hefty fine would be appropriate if the court was of a different opinion.

Magistrate Khumalo said that perjury was not a light offence multiple times during her judgement and remarked that Dlamini has not shown remorse for the offence and for wasting taxpayers’ money and time.

She added that Dlamini’s offence caused anxiety for millions of SASSA beneficiaries.

An aggravating factor, said Khumalo, was that the 59-year-old took an oath as a minister to be faithful and obedient to the public and constitution as part of her duties.

Magistrate Khumalo also said Dlamini’s previous conviction – more than 10 years ago – for fraud was considered in the judgement. “The previous conviction and current offence have an element of dishonesty.”

Before her sentencing, Dlamini’s defence pleaded with the court to be lenient because the ANC Women’s League President was a single mother of two. She also has to take care of her extended family.

She receives a R40 000 pension as a former Member of Parliament and R70 000 from the Women’s League, which may not be the case anymore if she is ousted in the June ANCWL elections.