BLOEMFONTEIN - The fraud and money laundering trial of Gupta associates implicated in a R24.9-million Free State government contract enters its penultimate week on Monday.
Six people, including three former senior Free State officials and two Gupta-linked companies, are accused of charges ranging from fraud to money laundering.
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But even after Ashok Narayan, a Gupta associate and one-time advisor to former premier Ace Magashule, was mentioned as a role player in Nulane Investments -- the company that received the R24.9-million payment -- the NPA says it has no reason to charge him.
"The centrality of Ashok Narayan is mentioned by the accused Mr Iqbal Sharma, that’s not our version, and that’s not what we told the court, and that’s not the reason we charged them," said the Investigative Directorate spokesperson, Sindisiwe Seboka.
On Monday, lead investigator Col Mandla Mtolo is expected back on the witness stand to be cross-examined by defence lawyers.
* eNCA's Moloko Moloto reports.