Pretoria - The court case against the project manager of Digital Vibes communications agency involved in the multimillion-rand scandal involving the Department of Health has been postponed for a Xhosa interpreter.
The case against manager Lizeka Tonjeni, 47, returned to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, however, it had to be abruptly postponed as the interpreter was unable to understand and translate some of the words used during the proceedings.
As a result, the court said in a bid to ensure fairness of the trial, the matter would be stood down to ensure that an interpreter could be availed for the proceedings.
The court also heard that the first state witness would be unable to be present in court to testify due to a family emergency that had occurred.
The court excused the witness but requested that the remaining witnesses who were outside the court, ensured they were present as the matter would proceed tomorrow.
According to court papers, Tonjeni, an employee of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (Misa) is facing one count of corruption in that during the period between December 2018, and August 2020, she intentionally accepted bribes of up to R160 000.
Tonjeni was appointed by Misa an entity overseen by the co-operative governance department, as the Director for Executive Support in the office of the chief executive officer.
Her duties involved among others receiving and scrutinising reports, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, making inputs on deliverables and remedial work, as well as receiving and recommending payments of invoices for services rendered.
Tonjeni previously employed with the Department of National Treasury for five years before joining Misa for the past nine years, has pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.
In her previous court appearance in May, she denied any involvement in the alleged offence, alleging that the state's case lacked substance and was ultimately granted R5 000 bail.
The matter will proceed tomorrow.
Pretoria News