FORMER Eastern Cape education department superintendent-general Modidima Mannya yesterday accused an advocate of intimidating him.
Mannya was testifying in a corruption case that saw him assist in exposing three businessmen who allegedly tried to bribe him in 2011.
The alleged bribery was a bid by the men to be reinstated in a multimillion-rand tender process after they had been disqualified the previous year.
Mannya was wired and police listened and viewed the alleged exchange of money.
Vishal Seebran, Sibongile Mtshixa and Peter Mkhanda stand accused.
After three days of cross-examining the former education boss, high profile legal eagle advocate Kemp J Kemp yesterday closed his case and said: “I will argue that you were not honest with this court.”
Mannya denied this .
Mtshixa’s attorney, Elias Makhanya, put it to Mannya that his evidence was contradictory to affidavits he submitted to the police.
“You contradicted yourself under oath, so tell us Mr Mannya, which version is correct?”
Mannya said: “I do not see how the versions are contradictory.”
Advocate Paul Jorgensen questioned Mannya about a R2- million lawsuit the department faced with as a result of his actions. Mega Papers – the company whose director Seebran allegedly tried to bribe Mannya – won a Bhisho High Court order last month instructing the department to pay R2-million for distributing the firm’s stationery to schools.
Jorgensen put it to Mannya that besides a few changes in top order management, the employees in the department were the same as those involved in distribution of the stationery.
Mannya said there ought to be an investigation because there was “wrongdoing”.
Mannya then accused Jorgensen of intimidating him.
“Your worship, may I ask that the counsel change his posture and the way he is looking at me because he is intimidating me,” Mannya said to magistrate Deon Rossouw.
The court later heard how Mannya received R40000 and R45000 less than a month before allegedly setting the trap. The money was paid by Masia Mashapa, who was allegedly his go-between with Seebran.
Mannya told the court the money was payment for a five- year-old debt, but could not explain why it was paid so late .
“I am owed money by a lot of people, my attitude is to not waste money in attempts to recover money owed. So I just leave it – if it comes it comes,” Mannya said in court.
The trial resumes today. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
Mannya: Advocate gives me a scary look
Mannya was testifying in a corruption case that saw him assist in exposing three businessmen who allegedly tried to bribe him in 2011.
The alleged bribery was a bid by the men to be reinstated in a multimillion-rand tender process after they had been disqualified the previous year.
Mannya was wired and police listened and viewed the alleged exchange of money.
Vishal Seebran, Sibongile Mtshixa and Peter Mkhanda stand accused.
After three days of cross-examining the former education boss, high profile legal eagle advocate Kemp J Kemp yesterday closed his case and said: “I will argue that you were not honest with this court.”
Mannya denied this .
Mtshixa’s attorney, Elias Makhanya, put it to Mannya that his evidence was contradictory to affidavits he submitted to the police.
“You contradicted yourself under oath, so tell us Mr Mannya, which version is correct?”
Mannya said: “I do not see how the versions are contradictory.”
Advocate Paul Jorgensen questioned Mannya about a R2- million lawsuit the department faced with as a result of his actions. Mega Papers – the company whose director Seebran allegedly tried to bribe Mannya – won a Bhisho High Court order last month instructing the department to pay R2-million for distributing the firm’s stationery to schools.
Jorgensen put it to Mannya that besides a few changes in top order management, the employees in the department were the same as those involved in distribution of the stationery.
Mannya said there ought to be an investigation because there was “wrongdoing”.
Mannya then accused Jorgensen of intimidating him.
“Your worship, may I ask that the counsel change his posture and the way he is looking at me because he is intimidating me,” Mannya said to magistrate Deon Rossouw.
The court later heard how Mannya received R40000 and R45000 less than a month before allegedly setting the trap. The money was paid by Masia Mashapa, who was allegedly his go-between with Seebran.
Mannya told the court the money was payment for a five- year-old debt, but could not explain why it was paid so late .
“I am owed money by a lot of people, my attitude is to not waste money in attempts to recover money owed. So I just leave it – if it comes it comes,” Mannya said in court.
The trial resumes today. — siyab@dispatch.co.za
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