Iqbal Sharma: Gupta Associate Pleads for Bail as His Hearing Continues
- Iqbal Sharma has continued to plead for bail in court after spending a few nights in jail following his arrest on 2 June
- The Gupta associate explained that the involvement of the Guptas in his case would affect his right to a fair trial
- The businessman told the court that he would be able to pay bail of R100 000 but the NPA is opposing bail in the case
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Gupta associate Iqbal Sharma's bail application is continuing in court following his arrest in Johannesburg on 2 June.
The businessman told the court on Monday, 7 June that his continued incarceration and the involvement of the controversial Gupta family in his criminal case would affect his right to a fair trial.
Source: Twitter
The Daily Maverick says the former Transnet board member is facing fraud and money laundering charges relating to a R24 million feasibility project in the Free State. Two Gupta brothers, Atul and Rajesh, along with their wives and one of the family companies, Islandsite Investments One Hundred and Eighty, are also accused in the matter.
In an affidavit he submitted in court on Monday, Sharma said it was likely that the Guptas, who are his co-accused, are scattered all over the globe. Sharma said he cannot be expected to remain behind bars while "these skirmishes are ongoing, which do not ultimately concern me".
He suggested that the Guptas were likely to challenge arrest warrants and oppose any attempt to extradite them from wherever they may be.
Sharma said he is willing to pay bail of R100 000. eNCA reported that Sharma's bail application is scheduled to proceed this Tuesday. The National Prosecuting Authority expressed that it would oppose his application for bail.
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Cash-in-transit robbers arrested
In other news, Briefly News reported that on Monday, 10 alleged cash-in-transit robbers were apprehended just hours after a cash crime in Mooinooi, North West.
A quick response from Mooinooi police resulted in the arrest of 10 people and the discovery of 12 weapons, ammunition, marked cash and four vehicles, according to police spokesman Col Brenda Muridili.
She added the suspects are facing charges of aggravated robbery, hijacking, possession of explosives and possession of suspected stolen cash, as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
They will appear in the Brits magistrate's court within 48 hours of their arrest, according to SowetanLIVE.
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Source: Briefly News
