Under cross-examination, the department’s head of supply chain management, Thabo Mashile, contradicted the state’s main argument, conceding that for its part, the department was happy with the price paid for the land in question, denying there were any misrepresentations.
The Mpumalanga department of human settlements wanted to buy a farm in Emalahleni in 2010 but "did not have the funds", only to buy it for R37.5m the following year.
The former State Security Minister and ANC MP is, along with 16 others currently standing trial, facing around 78 charges of graft in a case that revolves around dodgy land deals dating back more than a decade.
Former State Security Minister and African National Congress (ANC) MP Bongani Bongo and 16 others are currently on trial for fraud, corruption, money laundering and other crimes in the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.