LIVE | Former KZN police chief, Zuma associate arrested for corruption in Durban

Three people, including the former top cop in KwaZulu-Natal and Thoshan Panday - a close associate of former president Jacob Zuma - have been arrested in connection with multi-million rand corruption in the awarding of a police tender.

Panday, former KZN police chief Mmamonnye Ngobeni and Navin Madhoe were arrested on Friday and were due to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court later in the afternoon.

The Investigating Directorate's Sindiswe Twala says a fourth suspect "has been spotted in Cape Town and will not appear with the others as he has not been arrested yet".

"The arrests pertain to manipulation of the tender system of the KwaZulu-Natal Police services in the period 2010 valued at R47 Million," says Twala.

Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Sipho Ngwema says investigations into the seven accused involved in a controversial R255 million asbestos contract in the Free State could ensure a successful conviction.

Speaking outside the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court after the seven made their first appearance facing 60 charges in total, Ngwema said the indictment speaks to this possible successful conviction. 

"You will notice that what we try and do now, is we invest more time in the investigation rather than file an arrest and then investigate once people have been arrested already.

"The indictment means that we are ready to go to court even tomorrow because there are 60 charges there, it is clear, it is concise – there is no doubt about the state’s case – even the magistrate mentioned today that there is a prima facie case based on the charge sheet alone," said Ngwema.

He further commended the phenomenal work done by the Hawks in the case. 

While there were a total of 12 accused in the case, including companies, there were seven accused people who were released on bail following their first appearance, ranging from R50 000 to R500 000.

Bail deliberations for the seven accused is underway.

(Photo: Chanté Schatz, News24)

Latest developments from Bloemfontein where seven accused in controversial asbestos contract are set to appear

Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Sipho Ngwema, says one accused who is to appear in court on charges of corruption, has been caught with contraband in a prison holding cell.

Ahead of the appearance of seven accused in the Bloemfontein High Court on charges of fraud and corruption relating to the controversial asbestos contract, Ngwema explained that one accused was caught with cash in the prison. 

Ngwema said the accused, who is still unknown, was planning to buy cell phones with the cash. He added more charges can be expected to be pressed against the accused.

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