Bathabile Dlamini perjury case: Judgement to be handed down

Former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini will learn her fate when the Johannesburg Central Magistrate’s Court delivers its verdict in her perjury case.

Dlamini is accused of lying under oath during an inquiry into the social grants saga that was instituted by the Constitutional Court in 2017.

Bathabile Dlamini’s legal counsel, advocate Tshepiso Mphahlane, reckons the fact that the state failed to call key witnesses in the matter means the court should find in their favour. According to Mphahlane, the state did not call Virginia Petersen and Raphaahle Ramokgopa, the erstwhile CEO and acting CEO of Sassa respectively.

WHAT EXACTLY IS BATHABILE DLAMINI ACCUSED OF?

The company Cash Paymaster Services’ (CPS) contract with the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to distribute the grants had expired and was renewed on several occasions. As Social Development minister at the time, Bathabile Dlamini was accused of not properly presiding over the matter and failing to ensure that Sassa was better equipped to take over the issuing of payments to grant recipients.

This would have jeopardised the livelihoods of approximately 18 million people.

In September 2018, the highest court in the land found that Dlamini had been negligent in her handling of the crisis and ordered her to pay a portion of the costs of litigation brought by the organisations Black Sash and Freedom Under Law (FUL).

The Centre for Applied Legal Studies’ Ariella Scher, which represented Black Sash in the matter, has hailed the decision to prosecute Dlamini, stressing that such a move sends a strong message that everyone is equal before the law and even those occupying some of our highest offices must be held accountable for their actions.

“The Black Sash remains committed to its goal to ensure that the right to social security is fully realised. While are pleased that the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant has been reinstated with the eligibility criteria expanded to include unemployed caregivers, we will continue to advocate for permanent social assistance for the unemployed while a universal basic income remains the ultimate aim,” Black Sash’s executive director Rachel Bukasa said.