The DA’s KZN leader, Sizwe Mchunu, has written to acting director of public prosecutions Moipone Noko demanding to see the record of the decision to drop the charges against the alleged kingpins in the “Amigos” corruption trial.
Mchunu said it was “highly suspicious” that the State no longer intended to prosecute KZN legislature Speaker Peggy Nkonyeni and Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and four others, including Lindelihle Mkhwanazi, Nozibele Phindela, Jabulani Thusi and Ian Blose, last week.
“The circumstances around this decision are questionable given the removal of the former provincial director of public prosecutions and the almost immediate decision of the acting director to drop the charges.
He said it was also concerning that this announcement was made at a press conference and not in a court of law.
The DA wanted the record of the decision to be made available to the party.
The State will still pursue a case against nine others, including Uruguayan businessman Gaston Savoi and former government officials Sipho Tshabalala, Ronald Green-Thompson and Busisiwe Nyembezi.
The charges against them relate to a “donation” paid by Savoi to the ANC in 2007 in exchange for a multimillion-rand government tender.
Through his company, Intaka Holdings, Savoi is alleged to have paid sweeteners to secure contracts to provide water-purification plants and oxygen machines to the health and local government departments at hugely inflated prices.
All were charged with racketeering, with the final indictment stating that they had conspired to commit corruption, fraud and money laundering with a potential cost to the provincial government of about R144 million.
Remaining accused Tshabalala and Nyembezi declined to comment. Green-Thompson could not be reached.
