Kishene Chetty application to combine criminal matters dismissed
Businessman Kishene Chetty and his co-accused have been dealt a significant blow after their application to consolidate several cases of fraud, forgery, money laundering, and other charges of dishonesty was struck off the roll with costs.
Chetty and his co-accused appeared in the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria on Monday.
The matter pertains to the procurement of toners for the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape provinces between 2015 and 2016, resulting in a loss of more than R800 000 to the police.
Charges
The NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said Chetty and his accused wanted the charges consolidated, arguing that the charges in all the cases were similar.
'Counsel for the NPA's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption objected when the legal representatives of Chetty and others attempted to hand in four new lever arch files , which were not provided to the court and the state in preparation for the hearing.
'The state argued that in law, an applicant can file a supplementary only if they obtain leave to do so from a court, following a substantive application,' Mamothame said.
ALSO READ: PPE tender fraud and corruption case against Kishene Chetty postponed
Criminal matter
Mamothame said the judge also questioned if it was correct for a criminal matter to be presided over by a civil court.
'This outcome will provide progress in the cases that Chetty and his co-accused are facing, as they have been postponed pending this ruling'.
R56m police vehicle branding fraud case
Chetty and his co-accused are facing 456 charges, including racketeering, fraud, corruption, theft, forgery and money laundering.
Among the accused are police officials who allegedly participated in the fraudulent tender process, as well as 22 companies and their directors.
The former head of police supply chain management, Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Mokwena and three brigadiers are also among the accused in this matter.
The matter stems from another R56 million tender fraud case, in which procurement documents were allegedly tampered with in a tender for the branding of police vehicles.
Falsified quotations were allegedly provided to the South African Police Service.
ALSO READ: R56m police vehicle branding fraud case set for pre-trial
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa seeks apartheid damages case delay, but victims' families argue perpetrators are dying
The court was told that the government's interest lies in uncovering the truth. President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to stay a damages case brought by families of victims of apartheid-era crimes. However, lawyers for the applicants have warned that the alleged perpetrators are old and dying. The legal action, initiated by 25 families and survivors of apartheid victims – including relatives of the Cradock Four – seeks R167 million in constitutional damages. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa launches commission of inquiry into apartheid-era justice delays The applicants accuse the government of blocking the investigation and prosecution of murder cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Ramaphosa has since established a commission of inquiry chaired by retired judge Sisi Khampepe to investigate the lack of prosecutions. Ramaphosa urges court to delay apartheid damages case On Wednesday, Advocate Timothy Bruinders, representing Ramaphosa and government, argued in court that the commission should be allowed to complete its work before the damages case proceeds. 'There was notice put out by judge Khampepe in which she set out what the progress will be over the next month. 'I think she has just started work on it so it's settled that there is a commission,' he told the court. Bruinders pointed out that both the TRC and the families had previously called for the establishment of such a commission to investigate the apartheid-era crimes. 'The reason for the commission of inquiry is because the facts are as yet unknown,' he said. ALSO READ: Mbeki accused of trying to save his reputation by intervening in apartheid lawsuit Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen, however, raised a concern about whether it was not the applicants' prerogative to go ahead or withdraw their case. Bruinders responded that the case relied on the commission's findings in order for the court to make a ruling on damages. He argued that former National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli did not provide enough detail to conclude that interference occurred in one of the TRC cases. 'One could conclude from that there was an attempted interference.' Watch the case below: Bruinders added that the government and president sympathise with the families. 'They don't have closure. As they say, the prosecutions haven't happened. 'This is of concern to any government who cares about its citizens and those who died in fighting for what he ultimately sees now in the Constitution.' He emphasised that the government's interest lies in uncovering the truth. 'It is not to fight the families on procedural matters. One can imagine how that would go down politically. I do not think it would go down very well.' Victims' families demand justice Later, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson – representing the families – criticised the government's request to the court to delay the damages case, particularly as it had years to establish the commission. 'The applicants are seeking justice for crimes that were committed 30 and 35 years ago. That's the period we are dealing with. 'The perpetrators of these crimes have either already died or are dying at a rapid rate,' he said, pointing out that most suspects are now likely in their 70s. Chaskalson told the court that the applicants themselves are aging and that some have already died. 'They do not have time to wait indefinitely for the commission of inquiry to report and for relief to be recommended,' the lawyer said, adding that the applicants are entitled to their day in court while they are still alive. He further argued that commissions of inquiry have a tendency to 'drag on and on'. 'It is an extraordinarily optimistic proposition to put forward the idea that this commission will be able to do a thorough job on its investigation and report in four months' time, which is all it has left of the originally six months.' The court has reserved the judgment. NOW READ: Khampepe Commission is the right platform for Mbeki, Mabandla to tell their story, court rules
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Man accused of killing woman after Facebook date abandons bail application
A 36-year-old man accused of killing a woman after meeting her on Facebook has abandoned his bail application after appearing at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. Helder Isidro from Eersterust is accused of killing 30-year-old Loveness Magabe and has been charged with murder and defeating the ends justice. Lumka Mahanjana, the regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), revealed that the pair initially connected in a section of Facebook dedicated to sex work. Their interaction progressed to Whatsapp culminating in a meeting set for July 26, 2025, at a lodge in Eersterust "On the said date, it's alleged that the accused ordered an uber for the deceased to pick her up from her place of residence in Sunnyside and drop her off at their meeting place," said Mahanjana.
The Citizen
6 hours ago
- The Citizen
DJ Sumbody murder: Here's why Katiso ‘KT' Molefe thinks he should get bail
Molefe asked the court to grant him a 'reasonable' bail amount. Controversial businessman Katiso 'KT' Molefe insists that being charged with murder should not automatically disqualify him from being granted bail. Molefe appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for his formal bail application. The alleged mastermind was arrested alongside three hitmen in connection with the murder of South African artist Oupa John Sefoka, widely known as DJ Sumbody. Sefoka and his bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza, were gunned down in a hail of bullets in Woodmead, Gauteng, in November 2022. Katiso Molefe linked to more murders At the time of his arrest for Sefoka's killing, Molefe was out on R100 000 bail after the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria overturned a lower court's decision to deny his release. He had initially been arrested in connection with the murder of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, who was shot 23 times outside his workplace on 17 April 2024. The businessman has also recently been charged in connection with the murders of Hector Buthelezi, known as DJ Vintos, and Don Tindleni. Buthelezi and Tindleni were fatally shot in separate incidents in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Not a flight risk During Wednesday's proceedings, Molefe's affidavit – read out by his lawyer, Advocate Michael Hellens – revealed personal details to support his bail application. Molefe stated that he is 61 years old and a former teacher. He owns a R3 million home in Winchester Hills, bought with his estranged wife, and a second property in Sandhurst – purchased for R12 million and now valued at R17 million – where he lives with his three sons. 'I've lived in the Greater Johannesburg area for my whole life and have strong physical, familial, and emotional ties to this area. 'All of my most important business and family ties are in Gauteng and the Free State,' Molefe said. ALSO READ: Firearms used in DJ Sumbody's murder linked to 10 other high-profile cases He further argued that he has no intention of fleeing, pointing out that he has already surrendered his passport to the police. 'The passport will expire on 7 July 2032. I've only travelled beyond the borders of South Africa within the past five years to Hong Kong, China, and several times to Swaziland. 'As far as relatives outside of Republic of South Africa are concerned, my daughter lives in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, but we, unfortunately, do not have a strong bond,' the affidavit reads. Katiso 'KT' Molefe appeared at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on Wednesday as his bail application continued. He was arrested last month in connection with the murders of #DJSumbody and #DJVintos. Video by @nigelsibanda#TheCitizenNews August 6, 2025 'I submit that it should be clear, as I have confirmed that my intention is to remain in the Republic of South Africa and I do not intend in daring to live the life of a fugitive from justice, as such a prospect is simply unthinkable in the circumstances. 'I have no such expectation. I have nowhere to go. I have no other person to be. I have no other home and I have no other way of existing. I, therefore, submit that I'm not a flight risk.' Katiso Molefe's family responsibilities and business interests Molefe disclosed that although he and his wife have been separated since 2020, they are still legally married. They share four children. He has three additional children with one woman and a son with another based in Durban, bringing his total number of children to nine, including the daughter living in the UAE. 'I'm responsible for the maintenance of all the minor children and also contribute to their adult needs as and when it becomes necessary.' READ MORE: Two more murder cases linked to suspects in DJ Sumbody killing He revealed that he earns a cumulative income of R200 000 from his business activities spanning financial insurance, real estate, vehicles, logistics and construction. Molefe also owns a Mercedes SL600 worth R400 000, a V-Class Mercedes valued at R1.8 million, and a 2023 Range Rover worth R1.2 million. 'I actually recently sold the V-Class Mercedes in order to pay for legal fees and to pay for bail.' Request for bail and previous conviction Molefe asked the court to grant him a 'reasonable' bail amount, stating he could sell additional assets if needed. He also highlighted that he had previously been granted bail despite facing a serious charge. 'The Pretoria High Court [found] that exceptional circumstances has existed for my release on bail, not withstanding the fact that I've been charged with the count of murder.' The accused further indicated that he was fully aware of the possible sentence that could be imposed for murder. READ MORE: DJ Sumbody's murder exposes connection between crime and power 'I'm also aware that one only has one life to live from the perspective of the sentence in the powers of the courts.' Molefe argued that while he has no prior convictions in South Africa, he does have a criminal record in the United Kingdom (UK) for importing marijuana. 'I committed that crime 20 years ago using an alias.' He was deported and banned from entering the UK. Intention to plead not guilty Meanwhile, Molefe stated his intention to plead not guilty to all charges, claiming the state's case is weak. 'There appears to be practically nothing upon which my arrest was based.' He assured the court he would not interfere with witnesses or the investigation. 'I have been up on bail for approximately a month. There is and will be no evidence that at any stage did I interfere with any investigation, witness or evidence. 'Nor did I do so prior to my arrest on the previous occasion, or whilst the incarcerated pending bail. 'I further submit that I have no access to evidentiary material held by the investigating officer and there is no likelihood I would interfere with the investigation of the case.' Molefe also requested that his bail conditions remain the same as those previously imposed by the Pretoria High Court. The state, however, argued that Molefe is a dangerous individual who poses a threat to society The bail application has been postponed to 14 August. NOW READ: DJ Sumbody's family welcomes the arrests of suspects and thanks police
