Ignacia Koketso Mahlakwane, a 31-year-old prosecutor from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), has been granted bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where she is based.
Mahlakwane appeared in court on Thursday facing charges of corruption, extortion, and obstructing the administration of justice. This follows her arrest on Wednesday related to a July 2023 matter.
The NPA’s spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, disclosed that on July 6, 2023, Mahlakwane allegedly accepted a bribe amounting to between R70,000 and R80,000.
The bribe was intended to secure her agreement to drop the prosecution of a man facing charges of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
However, when the man, who is also the complainant in this case, refused to pay the requested amount, Mahlakwane, along with her accomplice, later issued a summons for him to appear in court on October 24, 2023.
The complainant reported the incident to the police, prompting an investigation that led to Mahlakwane’s arrest.
During her court appearance, the bail application was unopposed, and she was granted bail of R5,000. The court has postponed the matter to August 28, 2024, for further investigation.
This case highlights significant concerns about corruption within the judicial system, particularly within the NPA.
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The allegations against Mahlakwane are severe, involving not only corruption but also extortion and obstructing the administration of justice. As the investigation continues, it will be crucial to monitor how the NPA addresses these issues internally and what steps will be taken to restore public trust in the judiciary.
The upcoming court date in August 2024 is expected to shed more light on the extent of the alleged corruption and the involvement of any other parties. Until then, the legal community and the public will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds.
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