NPA not licking its wounds after first State Capture trial goes bust

The Bloemfontein High Court granted Section 174 discharges and acquitted one of the accused in the Nulane Investments R24.9 million fraud and money laundering case on Friday, 21 April.

ACCUSED IN NULANE TRIAL GO FREE

The case was the first ‘State Capture’ matter to go to trial. Five individuals, including an alleged Gupta brother associate, and two entities in the matter applied for discharges in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which was granted.

Former Free State Head of Agriculture, Limakatso Moorosi, who did not apply for a discharge, was acquitted by Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Section 174 states that accused persons may be discharged at the trial’s close if the court believes that there is no evidence the accused committed the offences.

According to TimesLive, Judge Gusha admonished the NPA for not obtaining original copies of the documentary evidence submitted.

NPA COMMITTED TO PROSECUTING SIMILAR CASES

The NPA showed no signs of smarting from the discharge and acquittal. NPA Investigating Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the State would reflect on the judgement to determine other legal avenues to explore.

“The outcome of this case has no bearing on our ability to prosecute other State Capture cases. We remain resolute in our commitment and ability to vigorously prosecute those responsible for state capture and corruption,” said Seboka.

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