A corruption trial involving high-profile KwaZulu-Natal ANC politicians will begin in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in October, 2012.
Pre-trial matters would be finalised between July 14 and 20, the court decided on Friday.
Judge Ron McLaren confirmed the trial would run from October 01to December 14.
The defence had until April 30 to file any matters it wanted to raise in the case. The State had until June 24 to respond.
The accused include KwaZulu-Natal legislature speaker Peggy Nkonyeni, economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, former Ithala development finance corporation CEO Sipho Shabalala, and Uruguayan businessman Gaston Savoi.
The charges against them relate to the awarding of multi-million rand tenders to Savoi's company, Intaka, to supply water purification plants and oxygen generating units to provincial hospitals.
The State alleges that standard procedures were bypassed to award the tenders, that prices were inflated, and that people were paid to influence the tender process.
Friday’s proceedings were marked by a heavy police presence.
Businessmen Ansano Romano and Donald Miller confessed last year to their involvement in the offences and turned State witness.
High-ranking ANC members, including provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala, party secretary and social development MEC Weziwe Thusi, mayors, and members of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, were present in court.
The matter started in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court in the morning and concluded in the High Court.
Zikalala called on ANC members to support Mabuyakhulu and Nkonyeni through the trial.
“We are going to continue supporting our comrades because we believe in the principle of innocence until proven otherwise,” Zikalala said to a small crowd assembled in the city centre. He said the case was a test of the party’s unity in the province.
“It is at tough times like these that we know that victory is certain. What is important now is for all of us to close ranks and not allow anything to divide us.”
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said Friday’s proceedings demonstrated the State's readiness.
“The wheels of justice are moving right along and we are confident that we have a strong case.” - Sapa