R47mil World Cup fraud case adjourned

THE corruption case regarding a R47 million 2010 World Cup tender was adjourned to 17 December. Businessman Thoshan Panday and his co-accused; Mmamonnye Ngobeni, retired KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner and former police officers, Ashwin Narainpershad and Navin Madhoe made their second appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court earlier today.

They face multiple counts of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

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Attendees in the packed court were surprised when Narainpershad was rolled into court in a wheelchair.

Narainpershad’s lawyer told the court he was suffering from “severe gout” and had surgery last week.

The court was also notified that both Narainpershad and Madhoe had retired from the police service and had no other income.

Talitha Louw, prosecutor for the state, applied to the court for an adjournment. Louw said they were still waiting for a racketeering certificate.

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The certificate can only be issued by Advocate Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

Louw said they were planning on making presentations to the NDPP next week in Johannesburg. Lawyers for the defence opposed the adjournment application.

“The state has had ample time, nine to 10 years, to investigate this matter and get their house in order,” said Advocate Jimmy House.

House asked why the state rushed arresting the accused if they have not completed their investigations. Ravindra Manikilal, who was representing Panday and Ngobeni, said Ngobeni was being charged “unconstitutionally”.

Manikilal said Ngobeni had been cleared of the same charges and a nolle prosequi certificate had been issued. Manikilal said that certificate had not been reviewed and set aside by the NDPP.

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“We have accused number 4 (Ngobeni) paraded before the media on an unconstitutional basis,” he said. Magistrate Vanitha Armu granted the adjournment to December 17.

“This is the first adjournment sought by the state, the court does not see how one court adjournment would not be in the interest of justice,” she said.

Manikilal said they are planning on challenging the racketeering certificate should it be issued.  

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