South Africa opposition lays "smuggling" charges against defence minister

South Africa's main opposition, Democratic Alliance (DA), has laid "smuggling" charges against Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, saying she has illegally brought a Burundian woman into the country.

Kobus Marais, a MP with the DA, on Friday accused Mapisa-Nqakula of violating the country's Immigration Act as he reported the case to Cape Town Central Police Station.

"While the minister may claim to have good intentions, it simply cannot be condoned that she broke the law," Marais said, demanding an investigation.

The DA says Mapisa-Nqakula illegally brought the Burundian woman, Michelle Wege, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to South Africa in January 2014 via the Waterkloof Air Force Base near Pretoria.

"The minister decided -- and she has confirmed that a couple of times -- against the law (to) negotiate for the release of a foreigner in a foreign country and then brought her into South Africa illegally without official documentation," Marais said.

"We truly believe that a criminal offence has taken place," he added.

In response to the charges, Mapisa-Nqakula said she will welcome any investigation into her conduct.

Mapisa-Nqakula admitted she had helped facilitate Wege's release from a DR Congo prison and had her flown to South Africa to save her from an abusive father.

However, in an interview with South Africa's Sunday Times, Wege's father Laurent denied he was abusive and linked his daughter to Mapisa-Nqakula's late son Chumani, saying they were engaged.

He also alleged he and Mapisa-Nqakula had a business relationship which went sour. Endit