The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has welcomed the Durban High Court’s dismissal of Toshan Panday’s bail appeal.
Panday, 52, who was initially denied bail last month, returned to the court on Monday in a bid to challenge this decision but faced a setback as his appeal was rejected.
Panday is accused alongside former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner General Mmamonnye Ngobeni on R47 million corruption and racketeering charges linked to the 2010 Soccer World Cup fraud.
The charges against Panday, Ngobeni, and several others, including Colonel Navin Madhoe and former police captain Aswin Narainpershad, come after their arrests in late 2021.
Last year, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and Investigative Directorate (ID) launched an extensive investigation, leading to a search and seizure operation at multiple properties owned by Panday and his business associates in September last year.
Panday’s immediate family also implicated in the case are his mother Arevenda, wife Privisha, sister Kajal Ishwarkumar, and brother-in-law Seveesh Maharaj Ishwarkumar.
According to IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the decision comes after Judge Esther Steyn concluded that Panday posed a flight risk, particularly in light of his previous actions.
During a prior bail application, Panday provided inaccurate information, suggesting that he needed to alter his travel itinerary to include trips to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and various European countries, while he instead flew to the US, contravening the high court’s directives.
The court’s judgment noted that releasing Panday on bail could undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system.
“In her judgment, Judge Esther Steyn highlighted that Panday had supplied false information when applying for variations to his bail conditions, coupled with evidence that suggested he may not return to South Africa if released,” Mamothame stated.
Panday’s situation worsened as he reported illness on the day of the scheduled appeal, leading to the matter being postponed to October 24, when he, along with eight others, will face corruption charges.
The charges relate to a staggering R7.5 million in alleged tax-related offences, further compounding Panday’s legal woes.
The Star
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