Another delay in ‘Amigos’ trial

A year since their last court appearance, the accused in the so-called “Amigos” R144 million provincial government racketeering, corruption and fraud trial are no closer to standing trial.

When they appeared briefly in the Durban High Court on Tuesday, their case was adjourned for another year – to February 8, 2016 – because the main accused, Cape Town billionaire Gaston Savoi, had launched another “interlocutory application”, this time for a permanent stay of prosecution.

Savoi, who also represents his company, Intaka Holdings, and his colleague, Fernando Praderi, were again absent from court – with the blessing of the State.

Their advocate, Jimmy Howse, placed on record that this was the arrangement with all adjournments and warrants of arrest that were issued but stayed.

Before Acting Judge Eric Nzimande were the former head of the provincial Treasury, Sipho Shabalala, his wife, Beatrice, former heads of health Busisiwe Nyembezi and Ronald Green-Thompson, former health officials Victor Ntshangase and Alson Buthelezi, and advocate Sandile Kuboni.

The reason for the case’s adjournment in February last year was that Savoi was waiting for the outcome of his Constitutional Court challenge to sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. He argued that these were vague and open to “personal and political manipulation” – and used as an example the withdrawal of charges against his former co-accused, ANC politicians Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni.

The Constitutional Court handed down judgment in March last year, dismissing his attacks and finding unanimously that the definition of a “pattern of racketeering activity” was clear.

On the issue he raised about the act allowing “hearsay evidence”, the court said this did not render the trial automatically unfair and the trial court was best placed to deal with this issue.

Savoi has now launched another application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for a permanent stay of prosecution.

Legal sources said there had been several “skirmishes” around this, particularly about provision of documents from the State. While all the papers had now been filed – and it was hoped it would be argued in March – the dispute had not been finally resolved and it would not be heard until later in the year.

“Of course, depending on the outcome, one or other party may wish to take it to a higher court on appeal, which will push any trial date further in the future,” a source said. Next year’s date remains a provisional one.

Savoi is accused of paying sweeteners to officials – including an alleged R1m to the ANC – to score contracts for the supply of water purification and oxygen plants to the departments of health and local government.

Initially there were 23 accused facing 54 counts. But the new indictment now lists only 17 charges.

In documents in support of an asset forfeiture application, the State put up transcripts of text messages in which some of the accused referred to each other as “Amigo”.

Source: Iol