Intaka corruption charges withdrawn
2012-10-01 12:39
Durban - Racketeering and corruption charges against seven people, including two high profile African National Congress politicians, were withdrawn in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Durban on Monday.
Charges were also withdrawn against three companies.
It was announced last month that the province's acting director of public prosecutions Moipone Noko intended withdrawing charges.
The seven were linked to the sale of water purification plants to the KwaZulu-Natal health department, allegedly at inflated prices.
Initially, 25 people were implicated in the so-called "amigos" corruption case, which was due to start on Monday.
The "amigos" case is a corruption matter allegedly involving Uruguayan businessman Gaston Savoi.
Savoi's company, Intaka, allegedly paid bribes to ensure that a contract to supply water purifiers and oxygen generators to hospitals, at hugely inflated prices, went its way.
He will go on trial with former provincial treasury boss Sipho Shabalala, who allegedly received a R1m donation for the ANC.
On Monday, charges were formally withdrawn against the speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature Peggy Nkonyeni, KwaZulu-Natal economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, former KwaZulu-Natal health department head Yolisa Mbele, businessman Lindelihle Mkhwanazi, attorney Nozibele Phindela, attorney Jabulani Thusi and attorney Ian Blose.
Companies against whom charges were formally withdrawn were Rowmoor Investments, Skyros Medical Supplies and Blue Serenity Investments.
- SAPA
