R85-million police branding fraud case struck off the roll
This follows the decision of the Pretoria magistrate’s court to remove the case from the court roll.
The R85-million fraud and corruption case involving 72 suspects – including senior police officers – has been struck off the roll.
The Pretoria magistrate’s court made the decision on Thursday, but the investigating directorate (ID) has vowed to have the charges reinstated.
ID spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala said the 72 accused, including a Pretoria-based attorney, Reshay Ramsamy Naidoo (32), who was released on bail after briefly appearing in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday, “were not off the hook yet”.
“We have taken a decision to have this particular case reinstated as speedily and reasonably as possible.
“The decision of the Pretoria magistrate’s court to remove the case from the roll came after the court refused to give the state a postponement to seek a racketeering certificate,” Twala said.
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ID head advocate Hermione Cronje said the case was dealing with members suspected to be part of a criminal enterprise.
“The team will be bringing a request to the National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi for a racketeering certificate.”
Cronje said the 72 people and entities who faced charges of corruption, fraud, corruption, money laundering, theft, contravention of prevention of organised crime act in connection with a host of transactions aimed at defrauding the police services, could anticipate the charges being re-enrolled.
The case relates to the awarding of a multi-million rand tender to mark police vehicles.
“We must add that this is an active syndicate and the sophistication of cover quoting and concealing the manner of operation to defraud the state, will not go unprosecuted,” she said.
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