A warrant of arrest for Dinesh Patel will be stayed until his next court appearance on the 6th of December. Patel, who is an employee of Nulane Investment, has issued a medical certificate for his reason not appearing in the Bloemfontein Regional court.
The case relates to alleged procurement fraud involving R24.9 million.
The cash was allegedly paid to Nulane Investment by the Free State department of Agriculture.
The state has expressed concern about what it says were flaws in the procedure of handing over the medical certificate.
“Dinesh Patel is accused No.: 6, who was not in court today citing medical reasons. We questioned this, not necessarily the medical condition. However, we questioned the fact the manner in which the medical certificate was provided. We strongly believe case laws also cite that better means should have been done. This is particularly because we want to ensure that these matters are not delayed for unnecessary reasons,” says Sindisiwe Seboka, the NPA’S Investigating Directorate Spokesperson.
VIDEO: Nulane Investment representative, Dinesh Patel granted bail
The Bloemfontein Regional Court has granted Nulane Investment company co-director Ronica Ragavan R10 000 bail. The NPA’s Investigating Directorate has confirmed that Ragavan was arrested on Friday morning when she showed up at the Bainsvlei Police Station in Bloemfontein.
The case relates to alleged procurement fraud involving R24.9 million. The cash was allegedly paid to Nulane Investment by the Free State Department of Agriculture for a feasibility study.
Ragavan will appear again with other accused on the 6th of December.
“Ronica Ragavan was arrested this morning through a negotiation between herself and her legal representative. She has been cooperative. The investigating officer has told us she was processed at the Bansvlai Prison this morning and then brought to court. She is officially accused No.: 8 in the matter. The warrant of arrest that was issued against her has been discharged since her appearance, because she was expected to appear on the September 28 and she didn’t. So, her appearance now, it means she is out on R10 000 bail and the warrant has been discharged,” Seboka added.
VIDEO: Gupta-owned company co-director released on R10,000 bail
