Out on R20 000 bail, Mti joins accused list

FORMER Correctional Services boss Linda Mti, who allegedly facilitated the payment of more than R1 billion to Bosasa in fraudulent tenders, will stand in the accused box next month alongside Angelo Agrizzi, who blew the whistle on him.

Yesterday the National Prosecuting Authority added Mti as the sixth accused person among those who will be facing trial for offences which were uncovered during the hearings since last month into state capture headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

The seventh suspect, who is believed to be in the US, is due to be flown back to South Africa to join his co-accused: Mti, Agrizzi, former Correctional Services chief financial officer Patrick Gillingham, Bosasa official Andries van Tonder, former senior manager Frans Vorster and incumbent employee Carlos Bonifacio.

The State is due to officially add the names of three companies in the charge sheet.

Mti made a lone appearance in the Pretoria Special Commercial Crimes Court yesterday after spending almost two hours going through official arrest processes.

He was charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and corruption. Mti was not asked to plead. He arrived in court just after 1pm.

As always, his demeanour was that of a relaxed person.

Dressed elegantly as always, he walked slowly to court 19 accompanied by his legal representative and some of the Hawks investigators.

Inside court, Mti had to initial his sworn affidavit as required by any accused person facing a schedule five offence – which required him to give finer details which would allow him, without any opposition, to be released on bail.

Mti, through his advocate, SW van der Merwe, told the court that he was married and had immovable property worth R5 million.

He also told the court that he had movable property in excess of R1m.

Mti also admitted that he had a previous conviction, of drunken driving in 2009 when he paid a fine of R20 000.

Van der Merwe did not reveal details of his client’s schedule five application as the State had already indicated that they would not oppose his bail application.

After his brief appearance, Mti was escorted back to the holding cells while his lawyer drove to the nearby Pretoria magistrate’s court to pay for his bail of R20 000.

Van der Merwe managed to pay for bail soon after the court had reopened after a lunch recess.