The Richards Bay Magistrates’ Court has recently announced the postponement of the corruption case against Dudu Myeni.
The case has been rescheduled to May 10, 2024, and will be transferred to the Johannesburg High Court. This decision comes after the matter was postponed in November of last year, causing further delays in the legal proceedings.
Dudu Myeni, the former chairperson of South African Airways (SAA) board, and Trevor Mathenjwa, accused number 2 in this matter, appeared briefly in the Richards Bay Magistrates’ Court on November 17, 2023.
However, the case was adjourned due to the need for disclosure of the case docket. Unfortunately, both Myeni and Mathenjwa were absent from the recent court session. Myeni’s attorney informed the court that she had been hospitalized, while Mathenjwa’s attorney cited ill health as the reason for his absence.
The corruption and fraud charges faced by Myeni and Mathenjwa are linked to Bosasa, with an alleged amount of R300,000 involved.
It is claimed that this sum was offered and received as gratification from Bosasa and its subsidiary, Sondolo IT.
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The state has accused Myeni of failing to disclose her interests in accordance with the SAA conflict of interest policy during her tenure as the chairperson of the SAA board.
Furthermore, she stands accused of corruption for accepting gratification from Bosasa subsidiary Sondolo IT, allegedly offered by former director Trevor Mathenjwa.
Specifically, Myeni is alleged to have received security upgrades for her Richards Bay premises between May 2014 and March 2015, amounting to R200,000.
Additionally, she is accused of benefiting from hotel accommodation and travel expenses for herself and individuals close to her, with Bosasa allegedly facilitating this through Blake Travels. The expenses incurred between May 2014 and March 2015 are said to have exceeded R107,000.
Currently, both Myeni and Mathenjwa are out on bail of R10,000. They are expected to appear in court again when the case resumes in May. This postponement prolongs the legal process, adding to the already extensive delays experienced in this matter.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time Myeni has faced legal consequences. Last year, she pleaded guilty to charges in a separate matter related to the state capture commission. During her testimony in November 2020, Myeni revealed the identity of a protected witness known as “Mr. X.”
As a result, she faced charges of defeating the administration of justice, with alternative counts of contravening the Commission Act. However, she entered into a plea bargain with the state, ultimately receiving a fine of R120,000 or two years’ imprisonment. Half of both sentences were suspended for five years, and Myeni chose to pay the fine instead.
As the corruption case against Dudu Myeni continues to unfold, the legal system must ensure a fair and transparent process. The postponements and delays experienced thus far have undoubtedly hindered progress, but it is crucial that justice is served appropriately.
The upcoming proceedings in the Johannesburg High Court will shed further light on the allegations against Myeni and Mathenjwa, providing an opportunity for the truth to prevail.