France's culture minister to be tried on corruption charges
Dati, a 59-year-old who holds ambitions to become Paris mayor next year, was charged in 2019 on suspicions she lobbied for the Renault-Nissan carmaking group while at the European Union institution. She denies the allegations.
Dati is accused of accepting 900,000 euros ($1.06 million at current rates) in lawyer's fees between 2010 and 2012 from a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Renault-Nissan, but not really working for them, while she was an MEP from 2009 to 2019.
Investigations have sought to determine whether she was in fact lobbying in the European Parliament for the carmaker, an activity that is forbidden.
French investigating magistrates also ordered that Carlos Ghosn, the ex-tycoon of Renault-Nissan, be tried, the judicial source said.
The 71-year-old, who has been living in Lebanon for years after escaping arrest in Japan, has also rejected the charges against him.
A hearing on September 29 will decide on the date of the trial, the source said.
According to another source following the case, the trial could be held after the Paris municipal elections, which will be held in March next year.
Dati, a daughter of working-class North African immigrants, has repeatedly sought without success to have the charges against her quashed.
Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct, before being sacked by Nissan's board in a unanimous decision.
He jumped bail late the following year and made a dramatic escape from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box, landing in Beirut, where he remains as an international fugitive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Kenny Kunene: Police apologised to me during arrest of DJ Sumbody's alleged killer KT Molefe
Joburg MMC for Transport, Kenny Kunene has explained that he had just arrived at the Sandton home of murder accused KT Molefe when police arrived, kicking the gate. Image: Supplied City of Johannesburg's MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene insists he had just arrived at the Sandton home of the alleged mastermind of DJ Sumbody's murder, Katiso 'KT' Molefe. Kunene has confirmed that he was at Molefe's home when police arrived to arrest the Sandton-based businessman, Molefe, on Monday, but he stated that Molefe is not his friend or business associate. The deputy president of Patriotic Alliance said he was briefly questioned by police on what he was doing at the scene, and he allegedly told them that he had accompanied a certain journalist from his online media company, to interview Molefe. "I was there to take the journalist to go and interview him. You would have seen that my Africa News Global has not been active because, since I took office, I have not had the time to focus on it. I have lost some journalists who were working for me. Those who have asked for jobs, I have decided to give it to them, so that they can run it, and obviously, Africa News Global has always focused on exclusive news. That is one of those exclusives, where there was an opportunity to interview Mr Molefe by this young journalist," Kunene spoke to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika. Kunene described Molefe as an interesting character, who he believes should have been allowed to air his side of the story. "I am saying, there is that interest to talk to suspects, it's not a new thing. It was just a question of, we were there at the time when the police were arriving. It was less than five minutes of us arriving. While we were on the driveway, we had not even gone into the house, when the police arrived. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "They were kicking the gate ... we were outside with the person who facilitated the interview. Mr Molefe came out and said open the gate and they (police) came in. They found us there. Subsequently, they asked who the owner of the house was. There was a Casspir, (Mercedes-Benz) V-Class kombis, police covered with masks and others in private with no masks," said Kunene. He said when Molefe confirmed that he was the owner of the house, police cuffed him and told him that he was under arrest. "They sought our particulars, and then they saw me. They called me aside and asked what I was doing there. I told them my purpose, that a gentleman there had facilitated that we talk to this man on this matter. They asked if I had any personal relationship with him, no. They asked if I had his number, and I said no. I gave them my phone to punch his number and check if I had his number. I don't have his number," said Kunene. He added that an address had been sent to him, for him to get to Molefe's home. "We had not even started the interview," said Kunene. Kunene described the arrest of Molefe as accompanied by "the normal drama that the police would do when they arrest a person". Kunene added that Molefe was cuffed on his hands and feet and calmly escorted into one of the Mercedes-Benz V-Class vehicles. "One of the police (officers) said eish bra Kenny, sorry man. I said there was no need to be sorry, you are doing your job, and they walked with him. The man was not fighting. He said open the gate, and he was outside there. They handcuffed him in front of us, then they left with him. They left everybody at the house. And I followed them," he said. Kunene said it was not the first time he had met Molefe, but they do not have an association, except for having a mutual friend who facilitated the interview. On Tuesday, IOL reported that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has called for Kunene to resign, following the widespread reports that he was found at the home of the murder-accused Molefe. DA Johannesburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, said the revelations were damning for Kunene. 'Criminality and underworld links seem to be entrenched in the Patriotic Alliance as their Johannesburg leader was found at the home of a suspected murderer during his arrest,' she said. Joburg DA caucus leader. Image: File/X 'Kunene's role as MMC for Transport is absolutely untenable, after he was found by police at the home of a murder suspect, as police arrived to arrest the suspect. The DA calls for Kunene's immediate resignation, and if he will not resign Mayor Dada Morero must fire him.' She said the explanation given by Kunene, in explaining what he was doing at the house is 'laughable' and must be rejected out of hand. 'No, Kenny, you were not at a murder suspect's house to 'drive a journalist there'. The Patriotic Alliance shows itself more and more every day to not have the best interests of South Africa at heart. It is a selfish, underworld organisation that associates with crime and corruption,' said Kayser-Echeozonjoku. 'The people of South Africa do not deserve their local governments led by people who are at home with murder suspects. The people of Johannesburg do not deserve the underworld connections that Kenny Kunene brings to the mayoral committee, in their city.' She said trust in politics comes from keeping promises, and upholding the rule of law. 'The Patriotic Alliance never keeps their promises, and does not uphold the rule of law. Historically, the DA called for Gwamanda to step down amid his criminal investigations, and Kunene must do the same. The office of the executive mayor must be beyond reproach,' said Kayser-Echeozonjoku. 'It is a slippery slope – once a figure like Kunene associates with murder suspects, there is no law he will be afraid to break. 'Kenny Kunene must resign, or be fired immediately,' she insisted. On Monday, IOL reported that in a significant development, the Gauteng businessman, Molefe, was arrested in connection with the grim murder of the renowned artist and musician Oupa John Sefoka, famously known as DJ Sumbody. The slain DJ Sumbody Image: File DJ Sumbody, a beloved figure in the South African music scene, was tragically killed in a hail of bullets in November 2022 in Woodmead. The shooting also resulted in the death of another person, and a third person was left injured. While the police have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details surrounding the motives and circumstances of the murder, the arrest marks a crucial step in what has been a protracted investigation into the case. IOL News
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
The death of a former Zambian president: diplomacy, grief and ubuntu
Esther Lungu, former president Edgar Lungu's wife, is grappling with grief and unanswered questions after his death. Image: Supplied Sifiso Sonjica The passing of a former head of state is invariably a profound and reflective moment for any nation. In Zambia, a country with a proud legacy of democratic governance, cultural reverence for elders and strong communal values, the death of a past president initiates a period of mourning, national reflection, and often, political reconciliation. Yet, as evidenced by the complex and contested death and burial of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, such events also carry deep diplomatic, legal, and emotional implications. They unveil fault lines within the state, raise questions about family rights, and underscore the challenges of balancing state authority with the wishes of grieving relatives. Importantly, these events remind us of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which emphasizes our shared humanity and moral obligation to care for one another. In light of this, I found it worthwhile reflecting on the events surrounding Edgar Lungu's death and burial, the diplomatic entanglements that followed, the grief endured by his family, and the lessons that the African continent can draw through the lens of Ubuntu. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. The Zambian government is trying to force the repatriation of former president Edgar Lungu's body. Image: AFP The death and the diplomacy around It Lungu, who was Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until 2021, died on June 5, 2025, at a hospital in Pretoria. He was receiving treatment for a rare esophageal condition when complications from surgery resulted in his death. In response, the Zambian government declared a seven-day period of national mourning, which was later extended by an additional nine days. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and a state funeral was planned in Lusaka, in line with national customs and protocols for former presidents. However, what was intended to be a respectful and unifying national homage quickly turned into a diplomatic dispute. A private family service was scheduled in Johannesburg, but the Pretoria High Court, acting on a request from the Zambian Attorney General, stopped the burial, asserting that Lungu, as a former head of state, was both legally and symbolically a representative of the Zambian nation and therefore deserved a state burial in his homeland. South African officials, caught between honoring the family's wishes and maintaining diplomatic decorum, expressed regret over the situation while advocating for a solution that would respect the deceased's dignity. This unforeseen international legal conflict created a complex diplomatic challenge, turning what should have been a sacred and solemn event into a politically charged and widely publicised confrontation. Zambian President Edgar Lungu. Image: Rogan Ward/Reuters Burial standoff: State versus family At the heart of this controversy was a tense standoff between the Zambian government and the family of the deceased president. The authorities were adamant about bringing Lungu's remains back for interment at Embassy Park, the official burial site for national leaders in Lusaka, citing both national customs and constitutional precedent. They maintained that a state funeral was not merely a formality but an essential expression of national identity and respect. In contrast, Lungu's family asserted that he had specifically requested that President Hakainde Hichilema not attend his funeral, due to unresolved issues and allegations of persecution after his presidency. They also criticized the government's approach, arguing that the personal wishes of the deceased and the emotional needs of the family were being overshadowed by political symbolism. On June 18, the family obstructed the repatriation of his body, alleging a violation of their agreement. The next day, President Hichilema declared the official end of national mourning, stating that it was no longer practical to indefinitely delay the funeral arrangements. Subsequently, on June 20, the family made the unprecedented choice to privately inter Lungu in South Africa, marking him as the first former Zambian president to be buried outside the nation. However, on June 25, the High Court intervened once more, suspending the burial until a final decision on jurisdiction could be made on August 4. This ongoing standoff highlights a complex conflict involving national identity, personal legacy, family grief, and legal jurisdiction. It evolved into more than just a burial; it became a confrontation between constitutional formalities and deeply personal mourning. Diplomatic undercurrents This unusual incident has also put a strain on the diplomatic ties between Zambia and South Africa. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation expressed support for the family's desires but remarked that a state funeral in Zambia would be "most appropriate" for someone of Lungu's stature. Pretoria's repeated legal interventions highlighted the complexities involved in hosting a former foreign head of state and emphasized the necessity of adhering to international norms and cross-border legal frameworks. President Hichilema formally apologised to the South African government, describing the situation as "diplomatic embarrassment". His apology recognized that internal conflicts - stemming from Zambia's unresolved political tensions - had spilled over into the regional sphere, disrupting diplomatic decorum and potentially harming Zambia's reputation as a model for peaceful political transitions. This situation highlights the urgent need for African nations to establis hprotocols that balance state responsibilities with the sensitivities of grieving families, particularly in cases involving prominent national figures whose legacies elicit mixed public reactions. Family's pain and public grief In the aftermath of his passing, the Lungu family has been engulfed in grief, exacerbated by public attention, legal challenges, and political unrest. They have faced intense media scrutiny, public discussions, and legal orders that have repeatedly interrupted their mourning. Most poignantly, reports have surfaced indicating that some family members have encountered travel bans and pressure from various political figures. Makibi Zulu, a family representative, poignantly remarked, 'Perhaps this time, Edgar has refused to be laid to rest without the truth being revealed.' This sentiment captures the family's view that Lungu's death has become a disputed story, highlighting deeper issues within Zambia's political landscape. Unverified claims of poisoning and systemic harassment have further politicised his death, complicating the family's quest for closure. As they navigate both personal loss and public controversy, the Lungu family's suffering underscores the challenge of disentangling the personal from the political in the life - and death - of a public figure. Their sorrow has become a symbol of a wider national discomfort, as citizens grapple with how to honour leadership in a time of divided memories. Ubuntu and pathways to healing The African concept of Ubuntu, often translated as 'I am because we are,' provides a vital framework for how such national moments can be approached with compassion, dignity, and unity. Ubuntu calls for empathy, shared humanity, and communal responsibility - values that are indispensable in moments of grief and division. As such, African societies must prioritize empathy over politics when national figures pass. Grieving families deserve support and space to mourn. This principle applies regardless of one's political alignment or opinions of the deceased's legacy. More so, the death or burial of a leader should not inflame tensions. Elders, traditional leaders, and mediators must facilitate respectful dialogue between state officials and families to avoid conflict and ensure dignity for all parties. This is important in balancing state honour with family customs. Most importantly, I am of the view that African Union and SADC should consider formal protocols for cross-border funerals of former leaders to prevent similar disputes and ensure that such events foster unity rather than discord.
eNCA
11 hours ago
- eNCA
France's culture minister to be tried on corruption charges
France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati is to go on trial accused of corruption and abuse of power while she was a member of European Parliament, a judicial source told AFP Tuesday. Dati, a 59-year-old who holds ambitions to become Paris mayor next year, was charged in 2019 on suspicions she lobbied for the Renault-Nissan carmaking group while at the European Union institution. She denies the allegations. Dati is accused of accepting 900,000 euros ($1.06 million at current rates) in lawyer's fees between 2010 and 2012 from a Netherlands-based subsidiary of Renault-Nissan, but not really working for them, while she was an MEP from 2009 to 2019. Investigations have sought to determine whether she was in fact lobbying in the European Parliament for the carmaker, an activity that is forbidden. French investigating magistrates also ordered that Carlos Ghosn, the ex-tycoon of Renault-Nissan, be tried, the judicial source said. The 71-year-old, who has been living in Lebanon for years after escaping arrest in Japan, has also rejected the charges against him. A hearing on September 29 will decide on the date of the trial, the source said. According to another source following the case, the trial could be held after the Paris municipal elections, which will be held in March next year. Dati, a daughter of working-class North African immigrants, has repeatedly sought without success to have the charges against her quashed. Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct, before being sacked by Nissan's board in a unanimous decision. He jumped bail late the following year and made a dramatic escape from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box, landing in Beirut, where he remains as an international fugitive.
