Africa-Press – South-Africa. A R1.9 million police personal protective equipment (PPE) tender fraud case has been postponed for more than three months in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
The case was postponed to 19 July for legal consultation, according to Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka.
There are 21 accused in the case after six companies were added to the list of accused.
The six companies are Argan Automotive, Gautools, Kgotho Trading Enterprise, Siyangoba Trading and Projects, Umbanatie Trading and Projects and Vatika Trading and Projects, Seboka said.
PPE corruption: Tearful ex-cop accused of tender fraud begs court to be released on bail
Last Friday, one of the accused, a former head of supply chain for the police, Brigadier James Ramanjalum, who is accused of fraud and plotting to kill people investigating him, was denied bail. Ramanjalum is a former police manager within the national supply chain.
His co-accused – businessperson Lorette Joubert; Kumarasen Prithiviraj; Volan Prithiviraj, a former employee of the suppliers; Maricha Joubert; former police officers Ramahlapi Mokwena, Lesetja Mogotlane, Veeran Naipal, Alpheus Makhetha and Kysamula Mabasa; police clerk Marcell Marne; retired police officer Isaac Ngobeni; serving police officer Stephinah Mahlangu; and civilian Salamina Khoza – were granted bail in February.
Another co-accused, businessman Kishene Chetty, was granted bail of R250 000 with strict conditions.
Blue lights tender: Phahlane, Mgwenya fight to have case struck from roll, judgment expected in May
News24 previously reported that Ramanjalum was denied bail after the Investigating Directorate’s lead prosecutor told the court he was found in possession of witnesses’ personal information when he was arrested. He had also allegedly plotted to kill investigators and the prosecution lead, Seboka said.
Ramanjalum is also implicated in a multimillion-rand blue lights tender fraud case.
In that case, he faces 392 charges, including fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering related to a R191 million tender to fit 1 500 police vehicles with blue lights.
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