KwaZulu-Natal businessman Jabulani Mabaso was acquitted by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday of six charges relating to alleged tender irregularities.
Mabaso originally faced 18 fraud and forgery charges totalling R197,466,837, concerning the supply of stationery to the KwaZulu-Natal education department, but in March the State conceded that 12 of these could not stand. After his acquittal, Mabaso said the marathon trial had cost him about R9 million.
He would now apply to the Asset Forfeiture Unit to release R80m worth of assets, including a hotel in Umhlanga Rocks and houses.
Mabaso was initially charged over allegations that the department had been defrauded through the fabrication and inflating of invoices at Mabaso’s behest.
Acting Judge Kobus Booyens found that there was not enough evidence to prove that his actions, and those of his company Indiza Infrastructure Solutions, had prejudiced the department. Indiza procured stationery and supplied it to schools.
Mabaso blamed his competitors for instigating the prosecution against him.
KZN stationary fraud accused acquitted
KwaZulu-Natal businessman Jabulani Mabaso was acquitted by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday of six charges relating to alleged tender irregularities.
Mabaso originally faced 18 fraud and forgery charges totalling R197,466,837, concerning the supply of stationery to the KwaZulu-Natal education department, but in March the State conceded that 12 of these could not stand. After his acquittal, Mabaso said the marathon trial had cost him about R9 million.
He would now apply to the Asset Forfeiture Unit to release R80m worth of assets, including a hotel in Umhlanga Rocks and houses.
Mabaso was initially charged over allegations that the department had been defrauded through the fabrication and inflating of invoices at Mabaso’s behest.
Acting Judge Kobus Booyens found that there was not enough evidence to prove that his actions, and those of his company Indiza Infrastructure Solutions, had prejudiced the department. Indiza procured stationery and supplied it to schools.
Mabaso blamed his competitors for instigating the prosecution against him.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos