After a lengthy legal process, key witnesses retiring, and a plea agreement supervised by a judge, Intaka Holdings owner, Savoi, was found guilty of corruption in supplying overpriced water purification and oxygen units to government departments, costing over R100m.
One of Savoi’s co-accused, former head of KZN treasury Sipho Shabalala, was convicted of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and breaching the Public Finance Management Act for his involvement in the “Amigos case” – a R44m contract awarded to Intaka in exchange for a R1m bribe to the ANC. He received a 15-year sentence.
The case, named “Amigos” as how the accused referred to each other, included arrests of ANC leaders Mike Mabuyakhulu and Peggy Nkonyeni, later cleared of charges. However, the state capture commission recommended their recharging.
The NPA views the guilty plea agreement as a crucial step in resolving this major case, ensuring accountability and cooperation with the state for related criminal activities.
TimesLIVE
