Former Mpumalanga premier and deputy minister Thabang Makwetla has appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court facing corruption-related and fraud charges linked to alleged R350 000 security upgrades carried out at his private residence by controversial facilities company Bosasa.
Makwetla appeared in court on Friday, October 30, 2026. The matter was postponed to March 19, 2027, for the issuing of a centralisation certificate and arrangements for a High Court trial date.
The charges relate to security installations allegedly provided by Bosasa at his home in 2015. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame previously confirmed that the alleged benefit was valued at approximately R350 000.
“His repeated failure to disclose this material benefit to Parliament over four years violated his legal and ethical duty under the Members of Parliament Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests,” Mamothame said.
During Friday’s proceedings, the prosecution informed the court that Makwetla’s case had been assessed by a review panel examining matters handled by IDAC. The panel confirmed that the prosecution had been properly authorised and fell within the directorate’s mandate. It also confirmed that all disclosures had been provided to Makwetla to prepare for trial.
Makwetla was arrested in October 2025 after handing himself over to police at Brackendowns Police Station in Alberton. He was subsequently granted R10 000 bail when he first appeared in court.
The case dates back to the wider state capture investigation into Bosasa, now known as African Global Operations, which was accused of using gifts, payments and other benefits to cultivate relationships with politically connected individuals and government officials.
During his testimony before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Makwetla acknowledged that he had approached former Bosasa chief executive Gavin Watson about security work at his home. He maintained that he had not authorised the installations and was surprised when the work was completed. He also told the commission that he subsequently paid R25 000 towards the upgrades.
The installations reportedly included an electric fence, CCTV cameras with off-site monitoring and an alarm system.
The commission raised concerns about the relationship and recommended that Makwetla be investigated for possible corruption. It found that the security benefits created a potential conflict of interest, particularly given his position in government and the Department of Correctional Services, which had significant contractual dealings with Bosasa.
The Bosasa scandal implicated several prominent political figures and officials, with the company accused of using financial benefits and household improvements to influence people in positions of authority.
Former ANC MP Vincent Smith was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to corruption-related offences linked to Bosasa. Former Bosasa chief operating officer Angelo Agrizzi also entered into a plea and sentence agreement and was sentenced in 2025.
Makwetla, who served as Mpumalanga premier between 2004 and 2009, later held several national government positions, including deputy minister of Correctional Services and deputy minister of Defence and Military Veterans.
He has not been convicted in the Bosasa matter, and the charges against him remain before the court.
