Travel accused seeks NPA review

2007-10-08 17:57

Cape Town - One of the accused in the parliamentary travel fraud case wants her prosecution reviewed - just as the prosecution of police commissioner Jackie Selebi has been reviewed.

Advocate Andre Parries, who is representing travel agent Estelle Aggujaro, said both cases affected the security of the state.

However he was given short shrift by judge president John Hlophe on Monday when he tried to raise the matter during a brief appearance by Aggujaro and her three co-accused in the Cape High Court.

Hlophe said he was not prepared to allow Parries' submissions, and that it was for the director of public prosecutions to decide whether to withdraw charges.

Parries said afterwards he intended to press the matter with the National Prosecuting Authority, as it was something his client felt strongly about.

Parliament was the highest legislative authority in the country.

Evidence led in open court about the 200 MPs implicated in the "travelgate" case could threaten the stability and integrity of Parliament and affect the security of the state, Parries said.

The NPA has withdrawn an arrest warrant against Selebi following the suspension of NPA head Vusi Pikoli.

His acting replacement, Mokotedi Mpshe, is reviewing the investigation into Selebi, who has been linked to underworld figures.

In court on Monday, Hlophe postponed the case to February 5 for trial, and said the state and defence teams would meet in his chambers on January 21 for an update on pre-trial arrangements.

It emerged on Monday that there was still uncertainty over who would represent travel agent Mpho Lebelo, while the Legal Aid Board has yet to appoint a forensic accountant for the defence.

Also in the dock are Graham Geduldt and Soraya Beukes.

- SAPA