Bongani Bongo and his 11 co-accused will be on trial on November 8 this year, and both the state and defence indicated they would be ready.

The former minister of state security, Bongani Bongo, and 11 co-accused appeared back in the Nelspruit Regional Court on March 31.

Bongo and the others are facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in Mpumalanga, for alleged involvement in questionable land deals.

The court ruled that the trial would be set for November 8 this year. The legal representatives for the accused as well as the state prosecutor indicated to the court’s presiding officer that they would be ready to proceed with the trial at that date.

The 11 co-accused, Robert Burwise, Patrick Donald Chirwa, Harrington Sizwakhendaba Dhlamini, Blessing Mduduzi Singwane, David Boy Dube, Sipho Joel Bongo, Vusi Willem Magagula, Bongani Louis Henry Sibiya, Elmon Lawrence Mdaka, Sibongile Mercy Mdaka and Sandile Nkosi were arrested in connection with an alleged land deal of R37.5m dating back to 2011. They are out on R10 000 bail each.

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