Mdluli trial in South Africa: defence challenges validity of search warrants
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on TimesLIVE
The corruption trial of former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli and two co-accused is turning to the legality of search warrants, with the defence challenging the admissibility of the evidence gathered. The three men, who face 19 charges linked to the misuse of the police secret fund between 2008 and 2012, have pleaded not guilty, according to the Sunday Times.
The trial of Richard Mdluli, former head of crime intelligence of the South African police, has entered a trial within a trial concerning the validity of three search warrants, according to TimesLIVE. The defence challenges the admissibility of part of the evidence obtained during these searches. Mdluli, former procurement manager Heine Barnard and former finance director Solomon Lazarus, all three of whom have pleaded not guilty, face 19 charges, including corruption, fraud, theft and offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca).
The charges concern the misuse of the police service’s secret fund between 2008 and 2012. According to the prosecution, the fund allegedly financed private trips to China and Singapore, and paid off Mdluli’s home loan using the rent of a house leased by the state as a safe house. Family members, without sufficient qualifications, were also allegedly appointed to crime intelligence.
On Monday, former investigator Kobus Roelofse, from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) and the anti-corruption body (Idac), explained to the court how the documents were gathered from several police premises. General Hancock acted as an intermediary between him and crime intelligence. Roelofse specified that he did not search the offices himself: the officers in charge of the files brought him the documents.
