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Africa News of Tuesday, 10 March 2020

Source: bbc.com

Rampahosa wins court battle against anti-corruption chief

Cyril Ramophosa - South Africa's president Cyril Ramophosa - South Africa's president

The High Court in South Africa has dismissed the findings of an anti-corruption watchdog that said President Cyril Ramaphosa had deliberately misled parliament over a campaign donation.

Last year the public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, said Mr Ramaphosa should be investigated over a $36,000 (£27,000) donation he had received from a local company- Bosasa - during his campaign to become the leader of the governing party, the ANC.

She also said he should be investigated for possible money laundering.

In a ruling that will be a significant boost for the president, the High Court found that her findings were irrational and unlawful and that Mr Ramaphosa did not need to disclose his campaign funding in parliament.

Ms Mkhwebane's critics say she had been deliberately seeking to undermine the president's war against high-level corruption.