SHERLISSA PETERS
THE “amigos” were told today that their government racketeering, fraud and corruption case will be moved to the Pietermaritzburg High Court for trial.
ANC heavyweights MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu, and Speaker of the legislature, Peggy Nkonyeni, maintained a casual demeanour as they appeared alongside their co-accused in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court today.
Gaston Savoi, a Uruguayan businessman, Mabuyakhulu, Nkonyeni and 20 others face charges related to a R1 million “donation” paid by South American businessman Savoi to the ANC in 2007 in exchange for a R44m government tender.
Normal tender processes were allegedly bypassed to award a tender to Savoi’s company, Intaka, to supply water purification plants to hospitals and clinics in KwaZulu- Natal.
In papers seized by investigators, Savoi referred to Nkonyeni and former iThala boss, Sipho Shabalala, as “amigos”.
The 23 accused were told that the case was transferred to the High Court. They were expected to appear in the court later today.
The advocates and attorneys were expected to meet the judge for a pre-trial conference.
A trial date is then expected to be set.
Among those present in court were ANC secretary-general, Sihle Zikalala, MEC, Nomusa Dube, and Msunduzi mayor, Chris Ndlela.
Hand-shakes and jokes among the accused were bandied around as they waited for Magistrate Chris van Vuuren to start court proceedings.
Throngs of people, gathered outside the steel gates barricading the entrances to the court buildings, burst into song and dance as they waited eagerly to catch a glimpse of the accused.
Mabuyakhulu was the ANC’s provincial treasurer and Nkonyeni was the health MEC when the deal was apparently concluded. Mabuyakhulu is now a member of the ANC provincial executive and Nkonyeni is the provincial treasurer of the ANC.
Murmurs among the accused’s band of senior advocates were that the trial could last between six months and a year.
The 23 accused are: Savoi, Sipho Shabalala, Busisiwe Nyembezi, Nkonyeni, Victor Ntshangase, Alson Buthelezi, Ronald Green-Thompson, Yoliswa Mbele, Fernando Praderi, Annsano Romani, Donald Miller, Sandile Kuboni, Mabuyakhulu, Beatrice Shabalala, Lindelihle Mkhwanazi, Nozibele Phindela, Jabulani Thusi, Ian Blose, Intaka Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Rowmoor Investments (Pty) Ltd, Skyros Medical Suppliers (Pty) Ltd, Koboni and Shezi Attorneys and Blue Serenity Investments (Pty) Ltd.
There are 54 charges reflected in the indictment which include fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering.