Nomonde Zondi|Published
A Hawks officer has told the Durban Regional Court on Tuesday that uThukela District Municipality manager Langelihle Jili asked police not to reveal his identity at Ladysmith police station after his arrest, saying he was a respected member of the community.
Warrant Officer Nkosinathi Dlamini, an investigating officer in the case, testified that Jili made the request on October 21 after being arrested in a police trap operation conducted under Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Dlamini further alleged that Jili offered him and his colleagues R600,000 to avoid arrest, but the officers rejected the offer.
The case stems from allegations that Jili solicited gratification from a service provider in exchange for releasing money the municipality owed the provider for services rendered. The provider, who was allegedly asked to pay a bribe, reported the matter to the Hawks, prompting an undercover operation.
Dlamini testified that after Jili’s arrest, they took him to Ladysmith police station, where he asked to speak to the officers.
“He asked us to not reveal him because he is known at the police station and, secondly, he is respected in the community,” Dlamini said.
The officer also detailed how the operation was set up after the Hawks received the complaint and obtained permission from the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed.
On October 19, the team travelled to Ladysmith, but the operation could not go ahead because Jili was unavailable.
Two days later, Jili contacted the complainant to say he was available and invited him to his office. The complainant, however, said he was uncomfortable meeting at the municipal offices and was instructed to bring R500,000 in cash.
The meeting was eventually arranged at a restaurant in Ladysmith. Dlamini testified that the complainant had R100,000 in authorised trap money.
Before the complainant arrived, police went to the restaurant to identify where the meeting would take place and briefed the complainant and the police agent on where to sit.
“When we got there, we looked for a place where they could sit. We then explained to the complainant and the police agent on which table they were going to sit,” Dlamini said.
He said the officers positioned themselves at a nearby table to observe the meeting.
When Jili arrived, he looked around before the complainant raised his hand to indicate where he was seated. The police agent was then excused, allowing Jili and the complainant to speak privately.
During the conversation, Jili allegedly made calculations and told the complainant that he would have to pay more than R1 million to have the outstanding funds for services rendered to the municipality released.
Jili is alleged to have noticed cameras in the restaurant and decided that the cash that the complainant had for him be given to him outside the restaurant. After he was in possession of the R100, 000 the Hawks apprehended him.
Before Dlamini took the stand, senior counsel Griffiths Madonsela, who had been representing Jili, withdrew from the case. Advocate Paul Jorgensen subsequently placed himself on record as counsel for both Jili and his co-accused, Bongumenzi Dlamini.
Both accused indicated that they intend to plead not guilty to the corruption charges.
The bail application is expected to continue on Thursday.