VBS case back in court as 2 accused look to separate their cases from others

JOHANNESBURG - The VBS case is back in court on Wednesday.

The accused in the case are charged with looting nearly R2.3 billion from the bank's coffers and doctoring its financial statements to cover up the fact that it was insolvent.

The bank's former CFO, Philip Truter, entered into a plea agreement with the State in 2020 and its former CEO, Tshifiwa Matodzi, followed suit last month.

The case returns to court for applications from two of the remaining accused.

The court is set to hear an application from former Limpopo ANC treasurer, Danny Msiza, and alleged "fixer" and former Youth League leader, Kabelo Matsepe.

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They want their cases separated from the others.

This is the second time Msiza's brought an application like this. The first time was in 2021 and was unsuccessful.

They're also expected to bring an application for a temporary stay of prosecution on Wednesday, though.

The State has indicated that it plans to oppose this.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance is also planning a protest outside the court ahead of the start of proceedings.