Alleged business partners Danny Msiza and Kabelo Matsepe, who are linked to the VBS Mutual Bank graft, want their case to be separated from that of the other accused.
This was revealed when they appeared in the Pretoria High Court on Monday.
The matter was meant to be a pre-trial, but both the state and the legal representatives of the accused could not agree on a date.
Msiza and Matsepe, who are represented by former National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams, filed an urgent joint application.
Fraud and theft
Their matter comes after the arrest of VBS graft mastermind and former chairman Tshifihwa Matodzi, who was handed a 15-year jail term after being found guilty on each of the 33 counts of corruption, theft, fraud, money laundering, and a pattern of racketeering.
Matsepe, who was identified by Matodzi, as one of the key players in the looting of the mutual bank, is quickly running out of legal avenues to prevent the SA Revenue Service (Sars) from seizing R61m from him.
The judge postponed the matter, stating that July 29 would be the deadline to submit answering affidavits and August 5 where applicants will hand over their replies to the affidavits.
On August 12 the legal representatives will file their heads of arguments and the heads of arguments will be heard on August 14.
Appointed to source investments
In Matodzi’s affidavit he mentioned that Matsepe, who is a businessman was also an agent for VBS who was appointed for purposes of sourcing investment deposits.
After that meeting with Matsepe he later met Danny Msiza at the Fusion Boutique Hotel in Polokwane, he alleged.
“To my knowledge Danny was Matsepe’s business partner. Matsepe was very interested in being appointed as a commission agent for VBS. I had indicated that VBS would pay a commission in the region of 2% for any investment that could be sourced by him from the municipalities.”
He further stated that he knew that Matsepe and Msiza were well connected politically and that they would be able to use their political influence to secure investments from municipalities especially in the Limpopo province.
Msiza and Matsepe, who were representing Moshate, were appointed as commission agents for VBS.
Irregular activities
Matodzi said Matsepe was involved in irregular activities as he would regularly discuss strategies and proposals to generate more municipal investments.
Msiza who was a politician and at the relevant time, was Provincial Treasurer of the ANC in Limpopo Province. Matodzi said Msiza did not have a direct relationship with VBS. His involvement with VBS comes by way of his association with Matsepe and Moshate.
Left a trail of destitute clients
Meanwhile, on Monday the Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation said the VBS collapse has left more than 500 destitute women, men, burial societies and investments organizations around Venda and elsewhere bankrupt.
The foundation further stated in a statement that it commends the commitment by EFF to one of the VBS beneficiaries to pay back the R5 million gratification and the R1 million monthly donation.
“We know that Matodzi and his friends created several conduits like Vele Investments, which would channel monies syphoned from VBS, municipalities and poor investors to pay for their luxury lifestyles of helicopters, fast cars and expensive holidays<’ reads the statement.
Farisani, who will be celebrating 77 years of his life, has chosen 77 victims of VBS and the celebration will include food hampers and blankets for the victims.
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