Mdluli off one court roll – for now

The fraud and corruption case against suspended former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli and two other police officers has been struck off the roll but they may not be off the hook.

Mdluli‚ the unit’s former CFO Major-General Solly Lazarus and former head of logistics Colonel Heine Barnard‚ were facing charges of fraud‚ corruption and money laundering. They allegedly stole money from a fund for undercover operations.

Prosecutions spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku said the case was struck off the roll in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria yesterday because there was an “outstanding” investigation still to be carried out. It was previously postponed for the same reason and the court would not allow another postponement. “Once the investigation is complete‚ the matter will be re-enrolled‚” Mfaku said.

Mdluli’s lawyer‚ Ike Motloung‚ said Mdluli would now focus on another criminal trial he is the subject of.

n the South Gauteng High Court Mdluli and former policeman Mthembeni Mthunzi face a host of charges relating to the 1999 kidnapping and murder of Oupa Ramogibe next month. — Tiso Black Star Group Courts and Law