The Pretoria Magistrates’ Court granted Ignacia Koketso Mahlakwane (31), a District Prosecutor based at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court, bail of R5000.
She is facing a charge of corruption, extortion and obstructing the administration of justice. It is alleged that on 6 July 2023 Mahlakwane accepted gratification of an amount between R70 000 and R80 000 with her accomplice, to decline to prosecute a case of a man who was appearing before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court for a charge of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
After the man, who is now the complainant in the matter, refused to pay the requested amount, on 24 October 2023, Mahlakwane, acting in common purpose with her accomplice, issued a J175 summons for the man to appear at court C at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court.
The complainant then reported the matter to the police. After investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Detectives Unit, Mahlakwane was arrested on 26 June 2024 at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court. After an unopposed bail application, the matter was postponed to 28 August 2024 for further investigation.
The NPA is committed to fighting corruption at all levels, including within its own ranks.
