Police Corruption Latest : Attorney released on bail in R85 million case

Pretoria based attorney, Reshay Ramsamy Naidoo, was released on bail after he appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrates Court facing a raft of charges, including money laundering, fraud and theft in connection with the R85 million police branding corruption case on Wednesday.

Investigating Directorate spokesperson, Sindisiwe Twala, said:

“He was granted R5 000 bail following his appearance on charges of money laundering, theft, fraud and contravention of Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) and acquiring of proceeds of unlawful activities.”

 “His charges emanate from laundering R920 000 from his attorney trust account which he transferred to his business account,” Twala said.

Naidoo allegedly disguised the bank transfers as ‘’fees’’.

Twala said that in August last year, Ramsamy had told his client Prinesh Naidoo to transfer R920 000 from his business account, named Imbobezi Enterprises, to him for safekeeping because the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) and the National Police Commissioner’s special task team, had planned to freeze his clients’ bank account.

“Prinesh, trusting Ramsamy, transferred the money, which Ramsamy later squandered. The funds given to Ramsamy belonged to Kishene Chetty,” Twala said.

Twala said the state had alleged in the police corruption matter that the flow of transactions further pointed to the fact that the companies involved in the R85 million branding case were related to fronting.  The case relates to irregularities pertaining to the awarding of the marking and de-marking of SAPS vehicles and cover quoting related procurement to favour specific companies.

 Ramsamy is the 46th person to be charged in the matter. There are 72 other accused in total, including the several companies, and at least 22 current serving members of the SAPS, and a further six who have retired or resigned from the service.

Twala said all the accused were expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates Court at 9 am on Thursday. 

“The case is expected to be postponed for further investigations,” Twala said.