This is according to the state prosecutor, Johan de Nysschen, who is leading the prosecution against 12 accused persons and companies.  His sentiments were also echoed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) spokesperson, Sipho Ngwema, who says their team is ready for the High Court trial even if it was set to start tomorrow. 

He says despite the ongoing investigations into the matter, they are confident of a swift conviction based on the accumulated evidence in this case. Ngwema says they had asked the court to set high bail amounts because the alleged crime is of a serious nature.

The 12 accused persons and companies in the R255 million asbestos project were granted bail of between R50 000 and R500 000 at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Friday.

These 12 suspects include accused number (1) Nthimotse Mokhesi, accused number (2) Mahlomola Matlakala, number (3) Pheagane Edwin Sodi, number (4) Black Head Consulting (Pty) Ltd, which is represented by Sodi, number (5) Diamond Hill 71(Pty) Ltd of the slain Phikolomzi Ignatius Mpambani, number (6) 605 Consulting Solution (Pty), number (7) Sello Joseph Radebe, number (8) MasterTrade 323 (Pty) Ltd, number (9) Abel Kgotso Manyeki, number (10) Ori Group (Pty) Ltd, number (11) Thabane Wiseman Zulu, and finally the accused number (12) Olly Mlamleli.

During the suspects’ court appearance on Friday, there was a heavy police presence in and outside the premises of the court. Supporters of the nabbed ANC officials, including ousted Mangaung mayor Mlamleli, were also out in their numbers to support the suspects.

OFM News