Granted bail: Durban businessman and former top cop charged with corruption
The suspects who appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court this afternoon are facing charges related to fraud and corruption.
A COLONEL in the SAPS, Navin Madhoe and Durban businessman, Thoshan Panday, appeared in court this afternoon after their arrest earlier today by the Investigating Directorate (ID) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
According NPA ID spokesperson, Sindisiwe Twala, Panday and Madhoe were released on bail after a brief appearance in court this afternoon.
“Panday was released on R100 000 bail while Madhoe was granted R10 000 bail,” said Twala on Friday evening.
“The ID was executing four warrants of arrests on the matter today. The other two are still at large,” said Twala adding that the bail conditions for the two are that they may not leave KwaZulu-Natal.
They were also required to hand over their passports to the Investigating Directorate.
Earlier statements from the NPA suggested that three accused had been arrested and would appear in court on Friday afternoon.
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The accused, aged between 48 and 52, are facing allegations that they associated themselves with the common purpose and worked together to manipulate the police procurement process.
“The case was enrolled almost a decade ago but there have been hurdles because of interference and delaying tactics,” explained Twala.
Charge sheet
According to the 130-page charge sheet, those who were police officers in 2010 worked with Panday, (Accused 1) to ensure that order and contracts were awarded to a specific supplier which was business entities listed in the charge sheet and represented by he and his relatives.
Madhoe, (Accused 2) is described in the charge sheet as: “currently a Colonel in the South African Police Service. At all times relevant to the charges, he was the Section Head: Acquisition Management attached to the Supply Chain Management Services (KZN), which is situated at the Provincial Head Office of the SAPS in KZN.”
The third suspect who is still at large is described in the charge sheet as a former police captain who worked under Madhoe.
“He was a captain in the South African Police Service, attached to the Supply Chain Management Services (KZN), which is situated at the Provincial Head Office of the SAPS in KZN. He served under the direct command of Accused 2.
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The case is in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption relating to the KwaZulu-Natal Police Services Fifa World Cup accommodation.
It is alleged the accused defrauded the South African Police Service by hugely inflating prices of accommodation for police members during the Fifa World Cup in 2010.
There were also subsequent attempts to bribe a police officer and these are a central component of the charges.
“It is alleged Panday was aided by SAPS procurement manager Colonel Navin Madhoe and another captain to score R47 million in contracts from the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS,” explained Twala.
“This case is particularly important for the Directorate as it turns the spotlight on how those in law enforcement entrusted with the responsibility to uphold the law was enlisted to obstruct justice. We must also commend the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for the ground work done on the initial case,” said Investigating Directorate head, Advocate Hermione Cronje.
The case is back in court on 11 November for an exchanging of the indictment.
The other two accused who are still at large have been notified to present themselves to the police.
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