The trial involving the R96 million lease that was concluded for nurses accommodation at the JP Hugo hostels will proceed in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in March next year.
THE TRIAL involving the R96 million lease that was concluded for nursing accommodation at the JP Hugo hostels in 2014 will proceed in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in March next year.
The accused, the former acting HOD for the Northern Cape Department of Health, Dr Dion Theys, appeared in court on November 8 in connection with the matter.
The trial was scheduled to commence on September 14 but was not able to proceed in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Kimberley.
The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said on Tuesday that senior counsel for Theys was not available on September 14.
“The defence had indicated to the court that it was not ready to proceed with the trial, as their senior counsel was not available. The State was ready to proceed with the matter and the witnesses were in court,” said Senokoatsane.
“The defence also stated that they had been given new instructions by their client to make representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding the charges against him. The defence was ordered to make their representations to the DPP on or before October 18.”
He added that the defence retracted its request to make representations to the NPA on Monday.
“Theys is charged with contravening Section 86 (1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). He was the accounting officer at the time and is accused of concluding three lease agreements with JP Hugo Trading, amounting to R96 million, without following proper PFMA prescripts and procurement processes. He was then arrested after a detailed investigation by the Hawks.”
Senokoatsane said that Theys was out on bail of R30,000. “One of the bail conditions includes surrendering his passport to the authorities.
“The State is represented by advocate Isaac Mphela. The matter will be back in court on March 28, 2022.”
