It would be heard again on 20 May, with a provisional trial date set for 17 to 19 August.

Prosecutor Paul Louw asked for the postponement to May to sort out “certain preliminary issues”, including the adding of another charge. He did not clarify.

The two face money laundering, fraud and corruption charges related to misuse of funds belonging to the police. Mdluli was head of the police crime intelligence unit at the time of the crimes. He allegedly appointed relatives and bought two luxury cars. Barnard worked in the same unit.

Barnard, in a dark suit, stood in the dock alongside a much shorter Mdluli, who wore a grey suit and a red and gold striped tie, as Louw explained the reasons for his request.

He said Mdluli had asked for “certain additional information”, a request to which the state would “apply its mind”. Mdluli was further expected to make input into a forensic accountants’ report.

“It may be that more counts may be added after the National Director of Public Prosecutions has applied his mind,” Louw said.

Ike Motloung, for Mdluli, told the court a disc with the contents of the docket had not been handed to the defence yet.

“Hopefully they will be handed over very soon,” he said.

Estelle Kilian, for Barnard, told reporters outside the court they only had a provisional charge sheet.

Mdluli told reporters he was still on suspension and enjoying his time at home.

“We will talk once everything is done,” he said, smiling.

-News24.com