/ 26 October 2010

Majali case postponed

The fraud case involving businessman Sandile Majali was postponed for further investigation in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday.

The case was postponed to January 18 for Majali and accused number five, Linda Welencia Dlamini, who are out on bail.

“This matter has been postponed for further investigation,” magistrate Ashika Ramlaal said.

The three other accused, Haralambos Sferopoulous, Stephan Khoza and Elvis Bongani Ndala, are expected to appear in court again on October 29.

The court heard the state was considering asking for these three accused to be referred for mental observation.

“You remain in custody,” said Ramlaal.

During his appearance in the same court on Friday, Majali was told he would remain behind bars until Tuesday, when his bail application would be heard. He was however released on bail on Saturday after an urgent application was lodged in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

He stands accused of fraud for allegedly hijacking a mining company.

The appearance of the five is related to allegations the directorship of mining company Kalahari Resources had been changed from Brian Amos Mashile, and his sister Daphne Mashile-Nkosi, to a group of individuals, including Majali. The group allegedly removed Kalahari Resources’ directors from the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) database in August.

An urgent interdict was brought before the South Gauteng High Court last month. The court ruled that Cipro reinstate the siblings as directors of the company.

Kalahari Resources owns a 40% stake in Kalagadi Manganese, the mining company developing an R11-billion manganese mine and sinter plant in the Northern Cape, as well as a smelter at Coega.

The Industrial Development Corporation owns 10% of Kalagadi Manganese, while steel producer ArcelorMittal owns the remaining 50% stake.

Majali came into the public eye following his role in the Oilgate saga that saw him “donate” R11-million of PetroSA’s funds to the ANC ahead of the 2004 elections. – Sapa