Durban — Director-General in the KwaZulu-Natal premier’s office, Nonhlanhla Mkhize and three accomplices spent a fourth night in police custody following their arrest over the Mhlathuze Water tender scandal, which involves fraud charges of R37 million.
Mkhize, Mhlathuze Water CEO Mthokozisi Pius Duze, Mhlathuze chief financial officer Babongile Mnyandu, managing director Sthembelo Mhlanga, and debt collector Siphiwe Mabaso were arrested by the Hawks on Monday after an internal audit.
They appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday and Mnyandu was granted bail of R60 000, and Mabaso R5 000.
The State opposed their bail applications their co-accused and on Wednesday presented their affidavits, in which the accused indicated that they intended to plead not guilty.
The matter was again adjourned, this time to Thursday, as the State needed more time to read the affidavits.
Mkhize, Mabaso, Mhlanga and Duze are charged with intimidation, defeating or obstructing the course of justice, and fraud, while Duze, Mhlanga, Khumalo and Mnyandu are charged with fraud and corruption.
The State alleges that Mkhize sent Mabaso to threaten the Mhlathuze Water board chairperson, Thabi Shange, to stop the fraud investigation at the entity.
The defence argued Shange was never intimidated, claiming she willingly gave the forensic report by the auditor-general to Mabaso, and that it was returned to her.
In her affidavit, Mkhize denied introducing Mabaso to Shange as a member of the National Intelligence Agency. She said she gave Shange’s number to Mabaso with her approval without knowing the reasons for their engagement.
Advocate Zandile Mshololo (who is working with the accused’s senior counsel, G Madonsela, on the case) said there was no evidence Mkhize would interfere with the state witnesses.
Judge Garth Davis adjourned the bail application to Friday due to the number of documents presented for the bail application.
Daily News