Zondo commission: Forensic auditor's evidence to proceed after bid to delay evidence kicked out
PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forensic auditor Trevor White is expected to proceed with his evidence at the State capture commission of inquiry after two people implicated in the so-called "Amigos" fraud case lost a bid to delay his testimony.
Former KwaZulu-Natal Treasury boss Sipho Shabalala and his wife, Beatrice, approached the commission to have White's testimony stayed on the basis that he is the main witness in the pending "Amigos" trial.
"If Mr White testifies today before he testifies in the trial court, untold prejudice will be inferred on my client. We are not asking for him not to testify but we are asking for delay of his testimony until the trial commences," advocate Khumba Shazi submitted.
But commission chairperson, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, was concerned that granting such an order would set a precedent.
"If I grant the order that you ask for, I might as well forget about finishing the work of the commission this year," Zondo said.
'Absurd'
The commission which officially began in August, 2018 was expected to complete its work by February 2020, but it has since applied for an extension until December 2020.
Evidence Leader, advocate Paul Pretorius, told Zondo: "The applicants have a choice, they can choose to cross-examine or remain silent (pending summons, of course)… The work of this commission cannot be curtailed because people might listen to what happens here. That is absurd."
Zondo dismissed the application and indicated that reasons could be provided later, if necessary.
Shabalala and his wife are implicated in the "Amigos" case which involves allegations of racketeering, corruption and fraud to the tune of R144-million.
There were initially 23 accused in the case, including African National Congress heavyweights Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni.
But charges have since been withdrawn against the pair and others, cutting the list of accused down to nine.
Article Enquiry
Email Article
Save Article
Feedback
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
Research Reports
Projects
Latest Multimedia
Latest News
Showroom
Sweet-Orr, established in 1871, is a global leader in superior protective workwear, known for quality, innovation, and performance.
VISIT SHOWROOM
AirNox (Pty) Ltd is a level 1 BBBEE manufacturer of complete AdBlue® solutions for operators of SCR diesel engines and AUS40 across South Africa...
VISIT SHOWROOM
Press Office
Announcements
What's On
Subscribe to improve your user experience...
Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):
Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):
All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors
including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.
Already a subscriber?
Forgotten your password?
Receive weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine (print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
➕
Recieve daily email newsletters
➕
Access to full search results
➕
Access archive of magazine back copies
➕
Access to Projects in Progress
➕
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format
RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA
R4500 (equivalent of R375 a month)
SUBSCRIBEAll benefits from Option 1
➕
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports on various industrial and mining sectors, in PDF format, including on:
Electricity
➕
Water
➕
Energy Transition
➕
Hydrogen
➕
Roads, Rail and Ports
➕
Coal
➕
Gold
➕
Platinum
➕
Battery Metals
➕
etc.
Receive all benefits from Option 1 or Option 2 delivered to numerous people at your company
➕
Multiple User names and Passwords for simultaneous log-ins
➕
Intranet integration access to all in your organisation
