Durban — Mhlathuze Water CEO, who is among six suspects involved in a R37 million fraud case was denied bail.
Chief executive Mthokizisi Pius Duze, lawyer Sthembelo Mhlanga and debt collector Siphiwe Mabaso appeared at the Durban Specialised Crime Court on Tuesday.
The State argued that the group including the director-general (DG) Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize in the KwaZulu-Natal premier’s office committed fraud during the Mhlathuze Water procurement project in 2018.
The other accused, suspended Mhlathuze Water chief finance officer Babongile Mnyandu and Thabiso Khumalo were released on bail last week.
Last Tuesday, Mnyandu was granted bail at R60 000, while Khumalo’s was set at R5 000. On Friday, Mkhize was released on bail of R25 000 leaving the trio to remain behind bars for the weekend following their arrest by the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation last Monday.
On Tuesday, Mhlanga was released on R250 000 bail, while Mabaso was granted R25 000 bail.
The court mumbled in shock as Judge Garth Davis denied bail for Duze.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Natasha Ramkissoon-Kara said bail conditions for those released would be set by the court.
“Duze was denied bail after the court found that in his affidavit and application for bail he did not prove or convince the court enough that there were slight chances of him interfering with the witness,” said Ramkissoon-Kara.
Mkhize, Mabaso, Mhlanga and Duze are charged with intimidation, defeating or obstructing the course of justice and fraud, while Duze, Mhlanga, Khumalo and Mnyandu are facing fraud and corruption charges.
The matter was postponed to December 6 when all suspects would be expected to be back in court.
Daily News