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Data quest delays tenders trial

The bribery and corruption trial of businessman Thoshan Panday and policeman Navin Madhoe is expected to begin only next year. Madhoe, who has been suspended from the SAPS, and Panday are accused of offering provincial Hawks head Major-General Johan Booysen R2 million to backdate a report on an investigation involving R60m in accommodation tenders, in which both are suspects. It is alleged that back-dating the report would have helped Panday in giving the High Court in Durban grounds to set aside the warrants used to access his bank accounts.

The court ruled against Panday’s application last month. Judge Mohini Murgasen said there were no “cogent or compelling grounds” on which she could find the obtaining and execution of the warrants had been inconsistent with the constitution. Madhoe was arrested in a September 8, 2011 sting moments after he allegedly put a suitcase containing R1.3m into Booysen’s car. The remainder of the cash was to be paid later. Panday was arrested two weeks later on returning from a trip abroad. Yesterday, State advocate Bheki Manyathi said there were “logistical issues” that needed to be sorted out before the matter was set down for trial.

Panday’s advocate, Jimmy Howse, said the defence required several items, including copies of data on a memory stick, a hard drive, and CDs, as well as cellphone records to prepare for the trial. The case was adjourned to July 31. Panday is also charged with corruption, along with police supply chain management official Captain Ashwin Narainpershad. They are accused of offering R1m to Captain Kevin Stephen for help in creating false documentation to defraud the police service. Narainpershad and Panday are to appear in court in July.

Source: iol.co.za

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Data quest delays tenders trial

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