The corruption trial of African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu and 15 others will continue in the High Court in Durban on Tuesday.
The postponement comes after three business entities made an application to have their charges withdrawn.
The charges relate to allegations that during Mabuyakhulu’s tenure as Economic Development MEC, he authorised the deposit of R28 million in various accounts for a Jazz Festival, which never took place.
It is alleged that Mabuyakhulu then received a R300 000 kickback.
Mabuyakhulu stepped aside from his position in May as required by an ANC resolution.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) provincial spokesperson Natasha Kara says, “They made representation to the state and the court as well. Those representations are part of the court record. I will not be able to go into details.”
“State’s intention will be to have the trial begin and see to a conclusion. However, if you look at the representation and the reason for postponement there were in the vest of the defence in this matter,” explains Kara.
Vusi Khumalo and Nomle Ngubane were in court yesterday:
