Fifteen accused in the dock for PPE corruption
The three were granted bail of R5000 each and their matter was postponed to March 29.
Fifteen accused suspects appeared in the Specialised Financial Crimes Court at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on February 8 facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to an R1.9-million personal protective equipment tender for SAPS.
The tender relates to latex gloves to be supplied to SAPS. The accused were arrested on February 7.
The accused in the matter is Kishene Chetty, Salamina Khoza, Lorette Joubert, Kumarasen Prithiviraj, Volan Prithiviraj, and Maricha Joubert as well ex-police officers Ramahlapi Mokwena, James Ramanjalum, Lesetja Mogotlane, Veeran Naipal, Alpheus Makhetha, Kysamula Mabasa, Isaac Ngobeni, SAPS clerk Marcell Marney and currently serving officer Brig Stephinah Mahlangu.
Bail hearing
The official bail hearing of the accused commenced on February 8 with the court hearing the case of Salamina Khoza, Isaac Ngobeni and Stephina Mahlangu.
The decision was taken by the court to hear their applications first as the State would not be opposing the bail of these three accused. They were not seen as flight risks or to have a propensity to commit further crimes should they be released on bail.
The three accused laid their case before the court through affidavits. While the State did not oppose the bail of the three accused they did dispute the amount they said they are willing to pay in their affidavits due to the state indicating that the accused had more funds they indicated.
The three were granted bail of R5000 each and their matter was postponed to March 29.
Bail opposed
The remaining twelve accused started with their applications in court on February 8. The State indicated that they will oppose the bail of these suspects as they are out on bail on a different matter.
This makes it a schedule six offence. It also shows they have a propensity to commit further crimes.
The accused delivered their applications through affidavits except for Ramahlapi Mokwena who took the stand. In their affidavits, the accused indicated that the State has a weak case against them.
The State indicated that the applicants were misleading the court on the strength of the previously mentioned case.
Detective Sgt Saneel Bellachun indicated that the State’s case is strong against the accused. He also in an affidavit indicated that the accused were misleading the court in terms of their stated business dealings and assets.
The matter was postponed to February 14 for the bail hearing to continue.
The magistrate reminded the accused the delay was caused by the defence team delaying proceedings to the afternoon on each of the three days of appearance.
*Please note that the next date of appearance fall after the RECORDS printing deadline and will therefore be covered in the following week’s paper.
