By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former human settlements MMC Malusi Booi has been granted R250,000 bail in his R1bn tender fraud and corruption case in Cape Town.
Booi and nine co-accused made their first court appearance last week following their arrests.
They face accusations that they were involved in a tenders-for-cash enterprise headed by suspected 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson.
Charges against Booi and his co-accused relate to fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering.
During the court proceedings, the State suggested a lower bail amount of R200,000, which the magistrate surpassed, reflecting the severity of the allegations. In addition to Booi, his co-accused also received bail, with varying amounts ranging from R25,000 to R250,000. All the accused received strict warnings against contacting witnesses and would require permission from the investigating officer if they wished to travel outside their home province.
Abdul-Kader Davids was given a bail of R250 000, Mohammed Amod R250 000, Randall Mullins R250 000, Brenda Mullins R250 000, Suraya Manual was granted R150 000, Thuli Imgibi R25 000, Nomvuyo Mnyaka R25 000, Lorna Ndoda R25 000, and Siphokazi September R25 000
Delivering her judgment, Magistrate Alida Theart said: “It is noticeable that all applicants apart from applicant eight just gave in an affidavit, which was clearly a pro formal filled in here and there, but nothing to prove.”
“It is about providing evidence by satisfying the court that it would be in the interest of justice to grant bail.” Theart noted that all accused handed over their passports. She highlighted that Booi, through his lawyer, told the court he could afford R5 000 bail.
Booi has been implicated in a broader investigation that includes claims relating to the murder of City official Wendy Kloppers, who was killed outside a construction site associated with these housing projects.
The National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape was satisfied with the outcome of the bail applications.
Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said: “[The accused] failed to provide details that can assist the court to come to a favourable decision for their part.”
“For example, most of them failed to provide bank statements, or show the court where these monies they are proposing will come from, and the court was left with no other choice but to either stick with what we asked for or increase [the bail amounts].”
The case against Booi and his co-accused was postponed to 16 October.
On the 16th of October 2024, the case is expected to involve Johnson and her husband, Stanfield, who are also under investigation in connection with the fraud. Johnson’s company, Glomix, has been mentioned specifically in relation to the housing tenders under scrutiny.