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Richard Mdluli.
Felix Dlangamandla, Gallo Images
- Former Crime Intelligence chief Richard Mdluli and his co-defendants have been charged with corruption and fraud in connection with the alleged looting of the Secret Service bribery fund.
- Mdluli, who was due to appear before the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, did not do so because he was allegedly ill.
- His co-defendant appeared in court, where they stated that they did not have the funds to fight their legal battles.
Former Crime Intelligence chief Richard Mdluli was too ill to appear in court on Tuesday for the alleged looting of the secret service account, while his co-defendant alleged poverty.
Mdluli and his co-defendant, former Crime Intelligence CFO Solomon Lazarus and former supply chain manager Heine Barnard, were to appear before the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court.
However, only Lazarus and Barnard attended; the court heard that they had no money to finance their legal battle, according to Investigations Directorate spokesman Sindiswe Twala.
READ | Richard Mdluli to receive declassified documents to prepare for ‘slush fund’ trial
Twala added that Mdluli did not appear because he was ill. No further details were released about his health status.
The three men faced multiple charges of fraud, corruption, robbery, and misappropriation in connection with the alleged looting of the secret service account dating back to 2009.
News24 previously reported that Mdluli allegedly purchased five vehicles between 2009 and 2011, including a BMW 530d, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a Lexus, with funds from the account.
READ | Richard Mdluli allegedly looted the Crime Intelligence secret service account
He also allegedly used the account to pay for his family’s private trips abroad and used R190,000 for security improvements at his private home in Boksburg, Gauteng.
These allegations first surfaced around 2011, but the case against the defendants was marred by delays and alleged interference.
News24 previously reported despite a prima facie In the case against Mdluli and his co-defendants, the National Fiscal Authority (NPA) was forced to drop the charges and removed the case from the list in 2011.
READ | Mokgoro investigation: Mzinyathi forced to drop charges against Mdluli
This claim was made by North Gauteng Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Sibongile Mzinyathi and former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach prior to Mokgoro’s investigation.
The then special director of public prosecution, Lawrence Mrwebi, gave the order.
The investigation was tasked with establishing whether Mrwebi and former deputy head of prosecution, Nomgcobo Jiba, were fit for the position.
There was also the problem of declassifying certain documents, which only happened in December 2019.
These declassified documents have since been released to the defendants so that they could prepare for trial.
The matter was provisionally postponed until February 8, 2021.
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