LISTEN: Accused claim unreasonable delays in blue lights case
The multimillion blue lights corruption case was heard in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court on September 27 and has been postponed to November 25.
The matter was postponed to allow former national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and former deputy national commissioner Bonang Mgwenya to bring their applications for an alleged unreasonable delay in proceedings.
“In a letter sent to the prosecution, Mgwenya’s legal representative said they were happy and could access all the folders stored in the hard drive,” said Sindisiwe Seboka, the NPA Investigating Directorate national spokesperson.
WATCH: Blue lights case not struck from roll
“Furthermore, all the witness statements have been submitted to all the accused. Even with that done, the accused allege it is still insufficient disclosure.”
The accused in the matter are former top police officials, a service provider and civilians who stand charged with corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering.
The matter relates to a contract to supply emergency warning equipment for the SAPS in 2017. The contract was worth R191-million. However, R65-m was paid to the service provider, Instrumentation for Traffic Law enforcement (Pty) Ltd.
A payment of R22-m was stopped at the advanced stage of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate’s and IPID investigation into the matter.
