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The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) efforts to repatriate corrupt-Gupta family members have taken flight following Interpol issuing red notices against two brothers, their wives, and other associates.
The brothers – Atul and Rajesh Gupta– and their respective wives, Chetali and Arti, are accused of defrauding the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development out of a heel-clicking R25 million for a supposed feasibility study.
They are accused alongside Ankit Jain, the former Nulane Investment Bank of Baroda Account Signatory; Ravindra Nath, Director of Wone Management (Pty) Ltd; Ramesh Bhat and Jagdish Parekh, Directors of Pragat Investments (Pty) Ltd.
On Monday, 5 July 2021, the Bloemfontein Regional Court postponed the criminal case relating to the R25 million Nulane Investment case. The matter will now be transferred to the Bloemfontein High Court on 6 September 2021 for trial.
In a statement, Sindisiwe Seboka, the Investigating Directorate Spokesperson, explained that the matter was postponed in the absence of the accused, as agreed between itself and the defence. This was in the wake of the COVID-19 Adjusted Alert Level 4 lockdown regulations.
Seboka added, “Warrants against the accused out on bail will be issued yet stayed until the next appearance. Iqbal Sharma on the other hand will continue to be incarcerated as he was not granted bail last month.”
Former Transnet Board member Iqbal Sharma, Nulane Investment employee Dinesh Patel, former Free State head of Department for Rural Development (FSDoRD), Peter Thabethe; former head of FSDoA, Limakatso Moorosi; and former FSDoA Chief Financial Officer, Seipati Dhlamini face charges of fraud and money laundering.
The former government officials are also charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
Seboka elaborates, the case relates to procurement fraud involving R24.9 million, paid between November 2011 and April 2012 by the FSDoA to Nulane Investment 204 (PTY) LTD, a company owned and controlled by Sharma.
The R24.9m was purportedly paid to Nulane to conduct a feasibility study for the Free State’s flagship Mohoma Mobung project because Nulane had unique skills to perform the work. She further states, “From there the funds were diverted to Islandsite Investments 180 (Pty) (Ltd), a company owned and controlled by the Gupta family. The group is charged together with three companies, Nulane Investments 204, Wone Management, Pragat Investment and Islandsite Investments.
The docket has been disclosed to the six accused to aid them in preparation for trial.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 2
South Africans have been robbed due to such acts.
Our people in our country are suffering so much. It pains me to know that all this has gone unnoticed.
It will help if they can return all those funds to SA rightfully. The money is urgently needed here for the really poor and destitute. Even infrastructure of Sza.
This is our land. Nothing should be stolen or given away for personal gains. Thinks about the hungry and homeless.
Look at the shacks here in SA. What reflection are we to the WORLD?
The whole world is looking at us. Wondering how come this was not addressed sooner. Nip it in the bud.
I pray justice prevail !
Heartfelt Regards
Vanitha Reddy
076 301 7702
Please do justice once and for all. Take responsibility and correct your mistakes. It is not too late. Be humble. Be true to yourselves.
Want to see positive results !