Image via: Adobe Stock
Andile Ramavhunga and Phalaphala Ramikosi, accused of being involved in the VBS looting scandal, have paid their R100 000 bail amount.
Image via: Adobe Stock
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), on Friday, confirmed that two of the VBS accused paid the fee of R100 000 bail by the 16:00 deadline on Thursday 18 June.
The two have been identified as Andile Ramavhunga and Phalaphala Ramikosi. They appeared with five others at the Palm Ridge Regional Court on Thursday. The eighth suspect has not been named as they are currently in COVID-19 isolation.
NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said: “Two paid yesterday namely Ramavhunga and Ramikosi.”
Executives have been accused of looting and corruption with regards to the bank. It’s estimated that around R3 billion has been lost, leading to its collapse in 2018.
As previously reported by The South African, the eight suspects include:
NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said: “If you can’t afford bail, you remain in custody”.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi said:
“What I can say is that we will certainly prosecute wherever the evidence takes us. If there’s evidence of criminality and we are satisfied that a prosecution can be made, we will take that action – no matter where it leads us. We are intent upon finalising this as quick as possible, but there’s always a strategy to delay matters.”
“We can’t really control things like that. But as the NPA, we’re taking a tougher stance on delaying tactics. It’ll be vigorously opposed by the NPA at all costs. It’s probably the biggest bank robbery in South Africa’s history.”
National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya said 20 municipalities are also being investigated for their possible role in the collapse of the VBS Bank.