The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court postponed the case of the SAPS R8.5m PPE contract and the procurement of plumbing material on July 19.

The matter was postponed to October 13 for defence consultation and further instructions. It was initially enrolled as an R1.9m PPE tender for SAPS.

The accused were arrested for allegations of having caused a supplier to unduly benefit from the procurement of latex gloves in April 2020 for the SAPS nationally.

The corruption matter has now escalated to R8.5m with two further contracts amounting to R4.1m and R2m respectively and a plumbing material contract for R120 000.

Sindisiwe Seboka, NPA Investigating Directorate spokesperson confirmed that the group faces charges of corruption, theft, fraud and forgery.

“The total count of accused now stands at 26, with five new accused, Abigayke Essau, Prinesh Naidoo, Jane Mthembu and two companies Impokane General Trade and Distribution PTY LTD and Imbobezi Enterprises Pty Ltd added to the matter,” she said.

Arrests follow an investigation into the capture of the SAPS procurement and supply chain to aid front companies to score lucrative contracts and facilitate kickbacks to SAPS senior officials.

According to Seboka, one of the accused, former Brigadier James Ramanjalum, has failed to get bail twice after having lost his latest high court bail application.

During his appearance, he informed the court that he plans to apply for bail for the third time in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court based on new facts.