Premier prepared to testify

2003-11-12 13:51

Cape Town - Western Cape premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk is prepared to testify in the Roodefontein corruption trial, his spokesperson Riaan Aucamp said on Wednesday.

Van Schalkwyk's predecessor in the post Peter Marais and former development planning MEC David Malatsi go on trial in the Regional Court in George on Monday.

They will be defending themselves against claims they took kickbacks for the New National Party - which Van Schalkwyk leads - from Italian Riccardo Agusta in return for approval of the R500m Roodefontein golf estate development.

Prosecutor Bruce Morrison earlier this week declined to say who was on his list of 62 witnesses.

However Aucamp said on Wednesday that it was the premier who had referred the Roodefontein issue to investigators.

"The premier has not been subpoenaed to testify, but made himself available to the prosecuting authorities and if required will testify," he said.

Asked whether the defence might call Van Schalkwyk if the State did not, Marais' attorney Hennie Lombard said the defence team had not yet decided on its witnesses.

"We haven't decided yet. We are consulting with (Marais') attorney (Craig) Webster tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 and we will then make further decisions as to witnesses," he said.

Marais has claimed repeatedly that Van Schalkwyk knew about the money right from the start.

There is also uncertainty over whether Agusta himself will testify.

His plea bargain agreement with the Scorpions in October, in which he agreed to pay a R1m fine, includes a paragraph recording that the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions "does not require (Agusta's) further involvement in any way in any continuing or further prosecution or investigation concerning or arising from his relations with Marais and Malatsi".

Agusta's lawyer Gordon Rushton, asked on Wednesday whether his client would testify, said: "I am unable to comment on that."

- SAPA