Court takes a closer look

2003-11-17 13:44

George - The court hearing the Roodefontein corruption case on Monday carried out an on-site inspection of the Plettenberg Bay golf estate at the centre of the controversy.

The state claims former Western Cape premier Peter Marais and the then environment and development MEC David Malatsi accepted about R400 000 in "donations" for the New National Party in return for provincial approval for the R500m development.

Malatsi is also alleged to have taken another R100 000 as a reward for his role in okaying the proposal.

Both men, who earlier on Monday pleaded not guilty to the charges, accompanied their legal representatives on the inspection tour.

Magistrate Andre le Grange was shown a golf driving range, the only part of the development so far completed and a scale model of the entire project.

He was also shown through a building on the estate where Marais and Malatsi attended a presentation at which Italian count, Riccardo Agusta, who paid the R400 000, was present.

Le Grange heard that the politicians were taken on a helicopter flip over the area and treated to a spaghetti dinner at the end of the day.

- SAPA