Suspended Pretoria chief magistrate corruption case postponed

The case of suspended Pretoria chief magistrate Desmond Nair, who is facing charges of corruption, has been postponed to September 26.

The postponement is to allow his attorney to study the reply from the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to which he made representations to have his charges withdrawn, says National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame.

Mamothame says Nair appeared before the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on charges of corruption related to controversial government service provider Bosasa.

Nair’s application to have his corruption charges withdrawn was denied by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on January 23.

Mamothame says Nair is facing corruption charges over alleged security upgrades at his house in Silverton in Pretoria East.

“Nair is facing charges of corruption for allegedly receiving security upgrades, valued at approximately R200 000 to his Silverton home, provided by African Global Operations, formerly known as Bosasa, in September 2016,” says Mamothame.

Mamothame says the upgrades included an electric fence, alarm system, perimeter beams and CCTV system.

He says it was allegedly offered and received by Nair for him to act in a dishonest or improper manner in his influential position as an officer of the judiciary.

“The NDPP has not acceded to Nair’s bid and has decided that the prosecution must proceed.”

Mamothame says that the court warned Nair to avail himself at his next scheduled appearance on September 26.