Former Correctional Services Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla Faces Court Over BOSASA Fraud Claims

Court Appearance In Johannesburg

Former Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Thabang Makwetla briefly appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, facing charges of fraud and contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

The case centres on allegations that BOSASA, the facilities management company notorious for its deep ties to government contracts and corruption scandals, provided Makwetla with R350 000 worth of security upgrades to his private home in 2015.

Failure To Disclose

According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Makwetla allegedly failed to declare the upgrades as a material benefit to Parliament for four years. IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame explained that the omission not only breached parliamentary rules but also violated Makwetla’s ethical and legal obligations as a public office bearer.

The court granted him R10 000 bail. The matter has been postponed to 4 November 2025 for the disclosure of the docket and supporting documents required to prepare for trial.

The BOSASA Shadow

BOSASA, rebranded as African Global Operations before going into liquidation in 2019, has remained a symbol of state capture-era corruption in South Africa. Its executives were infamously linked to bribery and tender manipulation, as revealed during the Zondo Commission of Inquiry. The company’s reach into politics stretched across party lines, often using gifts, security services, and donations to secure influence.

Makwetla’s name had surfaced in earlier testimonies at the Zondo Commission, but his formal arrest and court appearance mark a new chapter in efforts to hold high-profile figures accountable.

Public Reaction

On social media, reaction to Makwetla’s court appearance has been sharp. Some South Africans expressed frustration that “another BOSASA-linked official” is only facing accountability a decade later, while others questioned whether justice will be fully served. A popular sentiment online is that these cases should move faster to rebuild public trust in the fight against corruption.

Why This Matters

South Africa’s justice system continues to face pressure to demonstrate that no individual is above the law. The Makwetla case touches on broader questions of political accountability, transparency, and whether lessons from the BOSASA scandal have truly reshaped governance.

For many South Africans, this trial is about more than one man it is a test of whether past corruption will keep haunting the present, or if accountability will finally set a precedent.

{Source:SABC News}

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