This, after they argued in front of Magistrate Collin Nekosi that it needs time to gather more evidence. The NPA’s spokesperson in the Free State, Phaladi Shuping, says they will like the case to be postponed for a period of between three to five months. He says the state is not ready for trial at this stage, and request a postponement so that they are able to finalise their investigations. The accused’s legal representatives have, however, argued that the criminal charges brought against their clients have impacted their lives negatively. Shuping, however, refutes defendants’ legal representative’s arguments that the case is prejudicial, compromises their client's constitutional rights and it is not in the interest of justice for it to be postponed…

He maintains that they still have a strong case on the matter.

Shuping adds that they are in possession of 300 bank statements which proves that investigations into the matter are ongoing and that some of the monies went into bank accounts of foreign companies. He says they need more time to get into agreements with the companies in question for them to present those financial statements.

The suspects in the case include former Free State Agriculture head, Peter Thabethe, General Manager for District Services at the Free State Agriculture Department, Takisi Masiteng, former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Free State Agriculture Department, Sylvia Dlamini, Varun Gupta, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Oakbay Investments, Ronica Raghavan, former Oakbay Investments, CEO Nazeem Howa, Sahara CEO, Ashu Chawla, and Estina Director, Kamal Vasram.

Peter Thabethe's legal representative told the court his contract with the Free State Department of Agriculture expired this year and was not renewed as a result of the case. He says Thabethe has been unemployed since his contract ended and has been unable to find employment elsewhere. Former Oakbay CEO Nazeem Howa‘s representative also argued that Howa’s employment opportunities are being prejudiced by the media coverage of the case.

Judgment has been reserved until Tuesday, August 21.

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