South Africa: Suspended central bank governor denies firearm charges.

By Edwin -

Lesetja Kganyago, the governor of the South African Reserve Bank who has been suspended, has refuted allegations of unlawfully possessing a firearm. Kganyago was taken into custody on July 21 following a search of his residence. He stands accused of having a firearm in his possession without the necessary license.

On the 25th of July, Kganyago made an appearance in court and entered a plea of not guilty to the allegations. Subsequently, he was granted bail in the amount of 200,000 rand ($14,500). The court has decided to adjourn the case until the 14th of November.

Advocate Dali Mpofu, the legal representative of Kganyago, firmly asserted that the accusations brought against his client were both baseless and driven by political motives. Mpofu further emphasized that Kganyago possessed a legitimate license for the firearm in question, which was discovered securely stored within his residence.

The incident has brought focus to the safety protocols in place for South Africa's most prominent financial figures. Kganyago is the second governor of the South African Reserve Bank to have been detained within the past few years. In 2018, former governor Gill Marcus faced apprehension on allegations of fraud and corruption.

The allegations against Kganyago carry significant weight, however, he vehemently denies any involvement in the matter. The court hearing is scheduled for November, and it will be intriguing to observe the course of events as they unfold.







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