Former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli has lost his appeal to get assistance from Legal Aid after the State institution refused to help in his corruption case.
Mdluli approached Legal Aid after his legal representative, Ike Motloung, withdrew his services citing a lack of funds.
After being rejected by Legal Aid, Mdluli brought an application to review the decision.
Legal Aid appointed an attorney to assist him with the review process, but he lost the review application.
According to the Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, Mdluli confirmed that he will hire a private attorney to represent him in the trial.
Meanwhile, his application to appeal the high court’s decision that dismissed his application for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to pay his legal fees, was also rejected by the high court with costs.
Mdluli and his two co-accused, former SAPS supply chain manager Heine Barnard, and chief financial officer Solomon Lazarus, are facing charges of corruption, fraud, and theft.
The charges stem from their time of employment by the state, between 2008 and 2012, when they were at the helm of the police crime intelligence services.
All three accused face charges related to the alleged abuse of the police’s secret slush fund.
They are accused of looting the police's slush fund and will have to apply for legal aid after his attorney withdrew, citing a lack of funds.
The allegations include the payment of private trips to China and Singapore, the private use of witness protection houses, and the leasing of Mdluli’s private residence to the state in order to pay his bond.
Among other allegations, it is claimed that during one of Mdluli’s trips to Singapore in 2009, he allegedly used some of the funds for personal expenses, buying electronic equipment, clothing, jewellery, and perfume.
Mdluli's corruption trial will be back in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on April 14, 2025.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News