R3.5 Million Bribe: Former Government Official Neil Naidoo And Two Businessmen Plead Not Guilty As Trial Proceeds

The trial of a former senior government official and two businessmen accused of trying to bribe police in a bid to halt an investigation have begun.

Neil Naidoo, the former Eastern Cape Community Safety Director together with two businessmen, Kenny Govender and Matthew Pillay, are appearing in the East London Regional Court for their trial which began on Monday.

They face charges of corruption, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act PRECCA, and defeating the ends of justice.

The trio are alleged to have attempted to bribe investigating officials attached to the NPA's Investigating Directorate, with R3.5 million.

The alleged bribery was an attempt to halt their investigation into a R69 million national police tender that they were allegedly involved in.