2 admit guilt in high-profile fraud case
2011-09-29 19:00
Pietermaritzburg - Two businessmen charged along with senior ANC figures for fraud pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on Thursday.
Ansano Romano and Donald Miller were facing corruption charges relating to the sale of water purification plants to the KwaZulu-Natal health department, allegedly at inflated prices.
The two admitted guilt and turned State witnesses. The case was expected to resume early next year.
Among the accused are current KwaZulu-Natal legislature Speaker Peggy Nkonyeni, the province's economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, former Ithala development finance corporation boss Sipho Shabalala and Uruguayan businessman Gaston Savoi.
Their charges relate to the awarding of multi-million rand tenders to Savoi's company Intaka to supply water purification plants and oxygen generating units to provincial hospitals.
The State alleges standard procedures were bypassed to award tenders, prices were inflated, and that certain people paid to influence the tender process.
- SAPA
