Cape Town - Western Cape police are remaining tight-lipped about the investigation into the death of City of Cape Town staffer, Alistair Stanbull, as the State has officially withdrawn all criminal charges against him.
The case involving a R2.5 million fraud scandal returned to the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday, where the State also revealed that a new accused may be added to the charge sheet.
Stanbull’s disappearance earlier this year sent tongues wagging after the State revealed it believed he was a “victim of foul play”.
He was last seen on April 29 after going hiking near the Silvermine Nature Reserve. City staff had embarked on mass searches along the mountain slopes but could not find him as Steenberg police opened a missing person’s dockets.
A month later, his body was mysteriously found in the same area and Kirstenhof police were called to the scene.
Stanbull, who was employed at the City’s Human Settlements Department, was implicated in the R2.5m fraud scandal and was arrested with another colleague in November 2022.
He was later released on R10000 bail.
At the time the State alleged the employees of a construction company, including the directors, supplied false invoices to the City and allegedly misrepresented some of the work they charged for as being finalised.
Stanbull allegedly allowed the invoices to be authorised even though they knew the work was not completed.
He was charged with Asif Khan, Abdul Khan, Uwais Khan, Irfaan Khan and Abdullahtief Abrahams from Ilitha Painters and Decorators, and colleague Adam Majiet for fraud, attempted forgery and unlawfully interfering with the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy.
The group returned to court last week for Stanbull’s death certificate to be presented and for all the charges to be dropped against him.
The case was postponed to November 20 for the State to decide if they will add another person to the charge sheet before the trial.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson FC van Wyk said the investigation into his death is still ongoing.
“This office cannot divulge any further details at this stage. The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.”
Cape Argus