Latest news with #PretoriaSpecialisedCommercialCrimesCourt
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Desmond Nair seeks dismissal of corruption charges, citing trial delays
Suspended Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair will launch an application for charges to be dropped as he will argue there is an unreasonable delay in getting his corruption trial underway Image: File Suspended Pretoria Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair will on August 4 launch an application before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for the case to be dropped against him, as he will argue that there has been an unreasonable delay in the start of his trial. Nair, who has been facing corruption charges since 2022, once again appeared in court this week, but his case could not resume as the magistrate was unavailable. The trial is still due to get off the ground, following numerous postponements in the matter. Nair is facing corruption charges for allegedly receiving kickbacks worth R200,000 in security upgrades to his property from Bosasa. The court last year turned down an application by him to have charges withdrawn. The application was launched following arguments by his lawyer that there was not sufficient evidence against him to conduct the criminal trial. It is alleged in the charge sheet that in September 2016, Nair, being a judicial officer at the time, accepted an offer from African Global Operations/Global Technology Systems (formerly known as Bosasa) to have an electric fence, an alarm system, perimeter beams, and a CCTV system installed at his home. It is alleged that he was granted the upgrades for his influence to act in a dishonest or improper manner. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Nair, who was suspended as a magistrate in 2020, earlier denied benefiting from Bosasa-sponsored security upgrades to his home. He earlier appeared before the Zondo commission after he was allegedly implicated in evidence provided in January 2019. Former Bosasa IT specialist Richard le Roux claimed at the time that he had been instructed by former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi to oversee security installations at Nair's Pretoria home. Le Roux said the installations cost R250,000 and included an electric fence, camera system, and alarm beams. Nair, at the time, faced questions regarding security installations. He admitted to receiving security upgrades but disputed Bosasa and Le Roux's involvement and the cost of the project. He claimed that he had an oral agreement with a man identified only as Mr Bejoo to install a basic camera system and repair the existing electric fence, alarm system, and beams for a maximum agreed price of R50,000. Nair, who was previously also appointed as an acting judge in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, is out on warning.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pretoria court convicts 4th former Proteas player in T20 match-fixing scandal
Former Proteas cricketer Ntateko Ethy Mbhalati (43) has been convicted and sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on a charge of corruption linked to the 2015–2016 T20 Ram Slam match-fixing scandal. The court handed Mbhalati a five-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years, provided he does not commit a similar offence during the suspension period. His sentencing on Wednesday marks the fourth conviction in the high-profile investigation that has rocked South African cricket. In 2016, Cricket South Africa's Anti-Corruption Unit received a tip-off that a former national player had approached teammates and other players to participate in fixing T20 matches. A preliminary probe revealed that at least six players had been approached by the former player and bookmakers from India. The case was escalated to the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team on October 26, 2016. Following extensive investigations, three players were arrested and convicted between 2018 and 2022. Mbhalati, arrested in November 2024, faced several court appearances before his conviction. That same month, fellow former cricketers Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Thami Tsolekile were also arrested. Their cases are ongoing, with the next court appearance scheduled for October. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
