Mrwebi to stand trial next month over Mdluli

THE man responsible for the withdrawal of fraud and corruption charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli will stand trial next month.

Lawrence Mrwebi, 55, the suspended head of the specialised commercial crimes unit (SCCU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of defeating the ends of justice.

The case was postponed to next month for trial.

Mrwebi is accused of withdrawing the charges against Mdluli, who was arrested in 2011, even though there was a strong case against him.

Mdluli was accused of employing friends and family members while he was crime intelligence boss and misusing police funds to buy luxury cars.

According to the charge sheet, Mrwebi received representations from Mdluli’s lawyers in November 2011, seeking withdrawal of the fraud and corruption charges.

He sent it to former regional SCCU head Glynnis Breytenbach and asked her for a report.

In December that year, Mrwebi allegedly instructed Breytenbach to withdraw the charges against Mdluli.

Mrwebi had allegedly based his decision on the premise that the NPA and the police had no powers to investigate or prosecute Mdluli, but that the power lay with the inspector-general of intelligence.

Despite a letter from the inspector-general to the contrary, Mrwebi is alleged to have steadfastly stood by his decision.

Breytenbach subsequently asked former acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba to review Mrwebi’s decision not to prosecute Mdluli.

The Supreme Court of Appeal this year upheld a high court ruling that charges against Mdluli should be reinstated.

Mdluli is at present facing charges of kidnapping, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, intimidation and defeating the ends of justice related to the murder of his ex-lover’s husband, Oupa Ramogibe, in February 1999.

Mrwebi is also accused of interfering in a case against his friend, Terrence Joubert.

Joubert, together with others, was arrested in 2011 on charges of fraud and corruption emanating from tenders for services to the NPA.

In May 2012, charges against Joubert and his co-accused were withdrawn.