Charges against Busisiwe Mkhwebane 'frivolous and contrived'

Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who stands accused of perjury, on Thursday indicated through her lawyer that she wants to have the three charges against her withdrawn.

In a short appearance before the Pretoria regional court, Dali Mpofu, representing Mkhwebane, said that they were seeking a two-month postponement of the case to make representations to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to have the charges quashed.

Mpofu told the court that they regarded the charges "as frivolous and contrived" and that if their request for a withdrawal was not granted, it could see them approach the high court.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it believes it has a strong case against her and it has no qualms with her approaching the DPP.

The State requested a postponement, which was agreed upon with the defence, in order to iron out pre-trial issues, including the representations. It was also placed on record that disclosure of the docket had been made.

In December last year, the Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced the decision to criminally prosecute Mkhwebane.

The perjury charges, laid against Mkhwebane by non-profit organisation Accountability Now in August 2019, stem from the findings of the Constitutional Court in the Absa/Bankorp review case.

On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority said its investigation was complete and the State was ready for trial.

A confident-looking Mkhwebane, who was dressed in a red suit, promptly left court after the proceedings were postponed. Her case is scheduled to return to court on March 25.