The amount two senior police officers are accused of stealing from a crime intelligence fund has been reduced, the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court heard on Wednesday.
Crime intelligence unit chief financial officer Maj-Gen Solly Lazarus and the unit’s head of logistics Colonel Hein Barnard would now face charges relating to the alleged theft of R370,000.
Prosecutor Gerrie Nel submitted the revised figure to the court. Both were suspended and charged with theft, fraud, and corruption initially involving R1.1 million.
The two said, through their lawyer, they would seek to have part of their bail conditions reviewed.
The court turned down their request to have the charges broken down into individual offences.
Nel opposed the suggested amendment to the charges. He said the charges were related, even though they were committed on different occasions over a lengthy period.
“We have one fraudulent action but the same role players.”
The matter was postponed to September 18.
The duo was granted bail of R10,000 each in December. In 2011, the unit’s former head Richard Mdluli was also charged with fraud and corruption following alleged misuse of the unit’s funds.
Mdluli allegedly used the money to purchase luxury vehicles. The charges against him were later withdrawn. – Sapa