Defence lawyers for the accused in the R74-million fraud and corruption trial of former State Security Minister, Bongani Bongo, are expected to wrap up the cross examination of the first state witness.
Former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo.
Defence lawyers for the accused in the R74-million fraud and corruption trial of former State Security Minister,Human Settlements Director Supply Chain Management, Thabo Mashile, has been in the witness dock for the past three days in the trial underway at the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.It is alleged that they inflated prices when the Provincial Human Settlements Department bought the two farms, Naauwoort in Emalahleni, and Reitspruit in Ermelo.
Mashile further told the court that their books were also audited by the Auditor General and there were no adverse findings against the department.“We had negotiated to R37.5 milion to include everything. So, they agreed and were given a price and we negotiated. The representative of the seller agreed to go down in terms of the price and we went back to report on what happened. So, far as I’m concerned, I did follow the processes to the letter as expected of me.
Mashile said the recommendations for the appointment of Singwane and Partners were supported by the department’s Bid Adjudication Committee therefore, it means Singwane and Partners was properly appointed. Mashile also said it’s strange that the former head of the department who is accused number seven, David Dube, is answering in a court of law for the acquisition of these farms as SCOPA and the Auditor General had no problem with the purchasing of the land and the money spent.Share article
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