SETH NTHAI PLEADS GUILTY AND IS SENTENCED FOR SOLICITING BRIBE
30 JULY 2025
SETH NTHAI PLEADS GUILTY AND IS SENTENCED FOR SOLICITING BRIBE
Johannesburg – Senior Counsel, Seth Nthai, has been convicted and sentenced by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, after pleading guilty to corruption charges. Nthai admitted to soliciting a R5 million bribe from Italian businessman Mario Marcenaro during a meeting in Sandton on 10 October 2009. The bribe was intended to influence the outcome of the Piero Foresti and others vs the Government of the Republic of South Africa international arbitration case.
The court accepted a plea and sentence agreement and imposed a fine of R500,000 or two years imprisonment. In addition, he received a five-year suspended sentence, wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he is not convicted of a similar offence during the suspension period. In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the offence, noting that the complainant in the matter was the Government of the Republic of South Africa. It also considered Nthai’s guilty plea and his age.
The plea agreement followed extensive trial proceedings led by Senior State Advocate Sharon Masedi, during which the presiding judge recused himself after multiple state witnesses had testified. The matter was ordered to start afresh before a different judge, resulting in the current plea. Investigations revealed that Nthai, who was the government's legal representative in the arbitration, disclosed confidential case information to Marcenaro, including legal strategies, defences, and possible outcomes, without authorisation. In exchange for the bribe, Nthai promised to influence the government to secure a favourable settlement for Marcenaro and other claimants. Notably, the R5 million was never paid.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentence as a significant milestone in the ongoing fight against corruption, particularly within the ranks of public office bearers and the legal profession. This outcome sends a strong and unequivocal message that unethical conduct and the abuse of public trust, regardless of status, position, or influence, will not be tolerated.
The NPA remains firmly committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability and will continue to pursue those who compromise the integrity of state institutions and the justice system for personal gain.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
Regional Spokesperson: Gauteng Division, Johannesburg
083 402 4787 / 011 220 4245