VBS Mutual Bank theft case: 2 accused using delay tactics, court hears
The pair are pursuing an application to separate their cases from their co-accused.
FILE: VBS Mutual Bank in Thohoyandou. Picture: Sethembiso Zulu/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The State says the accused in the VBS Mutual Bank theft case Danny Msiza and Kabelo Matsepe are trying to delay their day in court.
Now dubbed the "Great Bank Heist", more than R2 billion was siphoned from the establishment in an elaborate scandal.
The pair are pursuing an application to separate their cases from their co-accused and/or temporarily stay their prosecution pending a bid to appeal a previous ruling dismissing their request for further particulars.
The application was argued in the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday.
READ: VBS Mutual Bank case: 2 accused seek to challenge their arrest
State advocate Hein van der Merwe argued that Msiza and Matsepe’s co-accused requested further particulars as far back as 2021, but that they waited until last year.
He said their request came at the same time that the case was finally ready to proceed to trial and that the “only inference” is that their intention was to delay the start.
He’s also disputed the defence’s argument that the case rests on advocate Terry Motau’s report on the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, which the information and documents they want access to relates to saying the state has to lead evidence in court.
Further, he says if the defence wants to attack the investigation - which they’ve indicated they require the information and dockets in question to do - then it should be done at trial.
The hearing has now wrapped up with judgment reserved until Friday.