WATCH: Mike Mabuyakhulu case not politically motivated

DURBAN - The case of fraud, corruption and money laundering against ANC KZN interim leader Mike Mabuyakhulu and several others was not politically motivated, the Hawks said outside the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.

The charges relate to R28 million which the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism in around 2012 forked out for a music concert - the North Sea Jazz Festival - that never took place.

Mabuyakhulu and the former head of department, Desmond Khalid Golding, secured R50 000 bail, while four others were released on R30 000 bail each.

Three additional suspects named in the indictment, Durban socialite and businessman Mabheleni Ntuli, Ntokozo Ndlovu and Nothando Zungu are expected to be arrested soon.

Also read: R28m wasted on KZN Jazz festival

KZN Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said charges against former economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu were not politically motivated.

Video: Fred Kockott

KZN Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, said the case against Mabuyakhulu had been under investigation since 2012.

Asked why it had taken so long to come to court, he said:

"It is important to mention that the Hawk’s investigation is prosecution guided where we work together with the National Prosecuting Authority in terms o f gathering the evidence and other investigation queries. As a result we do our investigation first and we finalise it then we bring the case before court, charge the accused accordingly and they appear in court.

"This case is not politically inspired because it started in 2012 and we were busy with our investigation. When we are busy with our investigation we leave no stone unturned to ensure that the accused are linked to the alleged offences that they are suspected of conducting. So we are not rushing our investigation, we are making sure that we bring all the necessary evidence before court," said Mhlongo.

This investigation started in 2012 where the accused were alleged working for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

Mhlongo said it was alleged that the money was paid to the service providers, but the services were never rendered.

The case was postponed to April 6.