A senior State advocate and member of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), a Lieutenant Colonel from the Directorate for priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks) and a civilian have been granted bail in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng on charges of corruption.
Advocate Phuti Freddy Matabane, Lieutenant Colonel Lucky Thabethe, and Daniel Benjamin Lessing were granted R5,000 bail.
The Gauteng regional spokesperson for the NPA, Phindi Mjonondwane said the charges relate to allegations of corruption in May 2021.
During the time of the alleged crime, Matabane is alleged to have received gratification following his decision to not prosecute Lessing in a fraud case of over R6 million opened by Interwaste at the Germiston police station on December 14, 2020.
“Investigation revealed that in June 2021, all accused persons embarked on a hunting trip, allegedly paid for by accused three (Lessing) following Matabane’s decision to decline prosecution,” Mjonondwane said.
“The case was brought to light by a private investigation firm hired by Interwaste after they had suspicions of corruption.”
The findings by the investigation firm prompted an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Detective and Forensic Division.
“Corruption continues to erode public confidence in the criminal justice system, and the NPA will continue entrenching a culture of honesty and integrity by prosecuting its own without fear, favour, or prejudice,” Mjonondwane said.
The matter has been postponed to March 7.
robin.francke@inl.co.za
IOL