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Former Social Development Minister, Bathabile Dlamini has been found guilty of perjury in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Betty Khumalo on Wednesday found that Dlamini had lied under oath during an inquiry into the social grants debacle instituted by the Constitutional Court back in 2017.
The former Minister had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Moments after the judgement, Dlamini was seen embracing some of those who came to support her, including suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and NEC member Tony Yengeni.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting
Authority (NPA) Phindi Mjonondwane says Dlamini elected not to testify in her defence.
During mitigating arguments the Court was presented with Dlamini's previous conviction of fraud that was delivered by the Western Cape High Court in 2003.
Mjonondwane says this was in relation to the abuse of travel vouchers during her time as a Member of Parliament (MP).
The matter was postponed to the 1st of April for sentencing.
Senior State Adv. Matthews Rampyapedi argued that the accused held a high office within the Public Service and should have been exemplary. He pleaded with the court to impose a sentence that will send a message that lying under oath cannot be tolerated.
Dlamini is out on warning.
