Swaziland’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Sibusiso Shongwe was arrested on Monday (20 April 2015), days after arrest warrants were issued against the kingdom’s Chief Justice Michael Ramodibedi and High Court Judge Mpendulo Simelane.
Both Ramodibedi and Simelane have also been taken into custody. They face a string of charges, including abuse of power.
Details of the allegations against Shongwe have not been released, but he has been at the centre of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation relating to deposits of E2 million (US$200,000) into one of his firm’s bank accounts.
The Chief Justice had dismissed an arrest warrant requested by the ACC against Shongwe last week.
The ACC alleged that in December 2014 a total of E2 million cash was deposited into the minister’s law firm’s trust account. The ACC wrote to Shongwe to ask where the money came from but he did not respond.
The ACC alleged that in December 2014 a total of E2 million cash was deposited into the minister’s law firm’s trust account. The ACC wrote to Shongwe to ask where the money came from but he did not respond.
In a letter to the ACC, Shongwe said the money was being held on trust for a client of his law firm.
Shongwe is also a close ally of the Chief Justice. Ramodibedi and Shongwe are reported to both be at odds with Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini. Shongwe alleged that at one Cabinet meeting the Prime Minister threatened to kill him.
Shongwe is also a close ally of the Chief Justice. Ramodibedi and Shongwe are reported to both be at odds with Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini. Shongwe alleged that at one Cabinet meeting the Prime Minister threatened to kill him.
Picture: PUDEMO
Justice Minister Sibusiso Shongwe, at a police station in Mbabane, Swaziland, after his arrest
See also
SWAZI COURT WAITS FOR KING’S ORDER
ARRESTED CJ TO APPEAR IN DOCK
CJ HAS HISTORY OF ABUSE OF POWER
CJ BID TO CANCEL OWN ARREST WARRANT
ARREST WARRANT FOR CHIEF JUSTICE
CJ AND JAILED JOURNALISTS
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