A businessman and police reservist told the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday that on three occasions in 2009 he received money in his bank account from the SAPS for no reason, but was told it was destined for Hariram Badul, the commander of the Mountain Rise police station at the time.
Thami Shezi added that after the money had been deposited, he withdrew it and handed it over to his business partner, France Bhengu, who worked at the station as a labourer. He assumed that Bhengu had taken the money to Badul, which was what he was told.
Shezi was testifying against Badul, former captain Suresh Naraindath, former police superintendent Yunus Khan, police constable Patrick Nkabini and businessman Sigamoney Pillay, who are being tried on 98 charges ranging from fraud and racketeering to theft and corruption, allegedly committed between 2007 and 2009.
It is alleged that Badul was the mastermind behind a scheme in which he requisitioned supplies for the station with the intention of putting them to personal use, and that the men took cash back from suppliers in lieu of goods procured. This money was allegedly paid to Badul.
Shezi and Bhengu were members of a company called Umnotho Wezwe Trading Enterprise. The State alleges that three television sets were bought from the company and paid for by the SAPS, but cash was taken in lieu of the order. It is further alleged that Badul was paid R25 000 and a cow to arrange employment in the police for three of Bhengu’s relatives as clerks.
Shezi told the court that R29 000 was deposited into his account in May 2009, R16 965 in July and R12 700 in September. When he informed Bhengu of the deposits, he was told that they were for the “larnie”, referring to Badul.
After the deposits, he and Bhengu went to the bank and withdrew the cash.
The trial is continuing.
