The Hawks have apprehended the man who claimed to have delivered a R5 million bribe to a judge on the instruction of Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane.
Hawks Eastern Cape spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, confirmed the arrest of 30-year-old Phadima Fukula in Johannesburg on Tuesday, after a nearly year-long search.
He disappeared last April after laying charges against Mabuyane and the Deputy Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo.
Mgolodela says a case of perjury was opened in relation to the conflicting versions he gave about the allegations against Mabuyane during initial interviews.
Fukula worked as an ANC branch-level activist in East London.
Mgolodela says the suspect first opened a case in Gauteng in February of 2021 and a month later in East London before he mysteriously disappeared.
She says investigators tried getting hold of him for an interview to get clarity on the allegations presented.
The Hawks later traced and interviewed him wherein it is claimed that he admitted to having been used by some individuals to make false allegations against the pair.
Mgolodela says as the investigators were in the process of obtaining further information from the suspect, including his electronic gadgets he again mysteriously disappeared until his recent arrest.
A case of perjury was opened against him due to his conflicting stories.
The Eastern Cape Premier subsequently opened a case of Crimen injuria against Fukula.
He will appear in the East London Magistrates Court on Thursday.
