Pretoria | Wednesday
MICHAEL Woerfel, the suspended managing director of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which has a stake in the country’s multi-billion arms deal, was granted R10 000 bail in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
Woerfel’s appearance in court on Wednesday on charges of corruption and forgery was his first.
In terms of his bail conditions, he must report to investigators should he wish to leave the country.
The case was postponed until January 25 next year, when Woerfel and former African National Congress Chief Whip Tony Yengeni are set to appear together.
The charges against them relate to a huge discount allegedly given to Yengeni when he bought a luxury Mercedes Benz 4X4.
Yengeni was arrested last week. He appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption, with an alternative charge of fraud, as well as forgery and statutory perjury.
He was also released on R10 000 bail.
Woerfel was out of the country at the time, but undertook to return to face the charges against him.
The State alleges Yengeni received the vehicle with the intention to ”use his power or exercise his influence to influence the arms acquisition process” in favour of EADS’ predecessor, Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG or DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG.
The forgery charge pertains to an agreement of sale drafted in respect of the vehicle transaction. The statutory perjury charge relates to what the prosecution claims was false evidence given to arms deal investigators.
Yengeni resigned as chief whip after his arrest.
Woerfel declined to speak to reporters after his court appearance on Wednesday. – Sapa