Mti charged with graft

Former department of correctional services commissioner Linda Mti on Thursday appeared in the Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria to face graft charges.

His appearance came a day after Bosasa heavyweights former COO Angelo Agrizzi, CFO Andries van Tonder and the former CFO at correctional services Patrick Gillingham also appeared in the same court on charges of corruption and money laundering.

They, together with Frans Vorster and Carlos Bonifacio — who were charged separately in another Bosasa-related matter

— were released on Wednesday on R20,000 bail each.

The arrests of Mti and his coaccused this week come a decade after the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks first received a report on an investigation done by the Special Investigating Unit into prison tenders. They also came a few days after the NPA’s new head, Shamila Batohi, started her term as national director of public prosecutions.

Mti is accused number one in the case, which relates to tenders between facilities management company Bosasa, now called African Global Operations, and the department of correctional services.

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Thursday that a warrant of arrest has been issued for a suspect who is in the US.

Bosasa is also listed as an accused, together with Sondolo IT and Phezulu Fencing.

Mti was released on R20,000 bail after he handed himself over to the police and will have to make his way back to court on March 27 together with his co-accused.

He was charged with six counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act, as well as one count of corruption. The corruption charge details how he allegedly accepted unauthorised gratifications.

HIS APPEARANCE CAME A DAY AFTER BOSASA HEAVYWEIGHTS APPEARED ON CHARGES OF CORRUPTION