High Court rejects former D-G's attempt to escape trial linked to R37 million graft

FORMER director-general of Kwa-Zulu-Natal Premier's Office, Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize and her 11 co-accused suffered a major court blow when the Durban High Court turned down their application to strike the corruption case against them off the roll.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

They have been charged with corruption amounting to more than R37 million.

Their application was based on claims of unreasonable delays by the State and an accusation that the State had defied a Specialised Commercial Crimes Court an order of April 6, 2023.

That order stipulated that the State must finalise all outstanding investigations and determine the trial forum, failing which the case would be struck off the roll.

The defence further stated that the State conducted a fresh investigation and disclosed its findings in 2025, but failed to disclose this information to the presiding judge or the defence counsels.

They argued that the recent disclosure of the use of a new entity for the investigation was prejudicial to all the accused.