The trial involving businessman Kishene Chetty and 17 of his co-accused, relating to the unlawful awarding of personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts worth approximately R8 million, is set to resume on November 14, 2025.

This was confirmed on Tuesday by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).

The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, ruled in favour of the National Prosecuting Authority’s IDAC for the trial to proceed on that date, following strong arguments presented by the state prosecutor in the corruption case.

According to IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the ruling follows an application by Chetty and some of his co-accused to postpone the matter, pending the outcome of a review application they intend to file with the high court.

“This intended review application follows the high court’s decision to strike their bid to have all their criminal cases – wherein they face corruption charges – consolidated,” said Mamothame.

The magistrate ruled that delaying the trial would not be in the interest of justice, noting that the matter has been on the court roll for over three years.

The magistrate also determined that the review application and the trial could proceed in parallel without causing prejudice to the accused who are prepared to stand trial, alongside the state.

Chetty and his co-accused face charges of fraud, corruption, forgery, and theft related to the alleged use of funds from the unlawful PPE contracts to pay for legal fees. 

These payments allegedly benefited individuals who were members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) at the time of their arrests in a separate corruption case currently before the Pretoria High Court.

Mamothame explained that proceeds from the R8 million worth of unlawfully awarded contracts to companies linked to Chetty were allegedly used to finance these gratifications.

“Chetty and some of the accused also face charges in four other criminal matters involving irregular SAPS contract awards,” he added.

In July, IOL News reported that the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed an application by Chetty and his co-accused to consolidate multiple fraud, forgery, and money laundering charges into a single case. 

They argued that the charges in all the matters were similar, but their application was opposed by the NPA on procedural grounds.

During the hearing, the State objected to Chetty’s legal team introducing four lever-arch files containing documentation not previously submitted to the court.

“The State argued that in law, a party may only file supplementary documents with the court’s permission, granted through a substantive application,” Mamothame previously said.

The proceedings took a significant turn when the judge questioned whether a civil court was appropriate to preside over the matter, according to Mamothame.

“This outcome will allow progress in the other cases involving Chetty and his co-accused, many of which had been postponed pending this ruling,” he said.

Chetty and his co-accused, including SAPS officials and individuals from private companies, face a range of corruption charges linked to alleged tender fraud within SAPS.

Chetty is accused of manipulating the SAPS supply chain and securing substantial contracts through fraudulent means. These include questionable tenders to supply printer toner, office supplies, and furniture valued at around R800,000.

Further allegations claim Chetty owns multiple companies registered under the names of associates, which bid on the same tenders and allegedly benefited him directly. 

He is also charged with creating fake Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) certificates, falsifying bid information, and conspiring with police officers to overlook irregularities in order to secure contracts.

In a separate case, Chetty faces additional charges of fraud and racketeering related to a vehicle branding contract worth R56 million, alongside 40 other defendants.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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