The specialized commercial crime court in Pretoria has provisionally postponed the corruption case of suspended chief magistrate Desmond Nair until 30 November 2023.
“This is to give the defense a chance to submit reasons why Nair should not be prosecuted. The postponement comes after a request by Nair’s legal representative, adv. Danie Dorfling,” says Sindisiwe Seboka, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigation directorate.
Nair is facing charges of corruption after he received payment in the form of an electric fence, an alarm system, sensor beams and a closed circuit television system from African Global Operations.
The company was previously known as Bosasa.
The upgrade work was done in September 2016 at his home in Silverton in Pretoria and cost around R200 000.
The state argued that Nair was given the upgrade job for his influence to act in a dishonest, improper or illegal manner.
Ronald Lamola, minister of justice and correctional services, provisionally suspended Nair in February 2020 pending an investigation into his suitability for the position as magistrate. Among other things, Nair handled high-profile cases such as the bail application of former Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.
The post-state Zondo Commission heard evidence during its hearings that Bosasa handled various so-called special projects for various high-ranking people, which included security upgrades at their private residences, the installation of generators and garden cleaning services.
Nair was among those singled out as having allegedly benefited from the special projects.
