Two people were arrested for running a “black dollar scam” in Cape Town on Tuesday, said police.
A man complained to the police that he gave three Congolese men a large number of bank notes, believing they would convert them to dollars and multiply them, said Captain Frederick Van Wyk.
However, he was left with pieces of paper dyed black while they took his money, supposedly to buy the chemicals needed to wash the new “money”, which they claimed had been dyed to avoid detection by customs officials.
Police found two men in Maitland in possession of blank pieces of paper used to trick people into participating in the scam, said Van Wyk.
The men, aged 28 and 41, were arrested and would appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on fraud charges. The third man was still at large. – Sapa
The Polokwana Regional Court has allowed photographers and television cameras into the courtroom where expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema is appearing on Wednesday.
They were given permission to take pictures of Malema in the dock before proceedings, but were not allowed to record during proceedings.
The court was packed to capacity, with suspended ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu and suspended secretary general Sindiso Magaqa in the public gallery with senior ANCYL members.
Malema is accused of money-laundering. The charge sheet lists him as accused number 10.
On Tuesday, four of his co-accused appeared in court and were granted R40,OOO bail each. They are accused of fraud, corruption and money-laundering, relating to a R52 million tender awarded to On Point Engineers. Four companies were also charged. – Sapa
Malema handed himself over to the Polokwane police on Wednesday morning, before his court appearance, reported SABC.
Hundreds of supporters rushed to Malema’s vehicle when he arrived at the police station.
One bench in the courtroom was set aside for journalists, and another for Malema’s family.
Roads leading to the court were closed on Wednesday and police were monitoring the situation.
There was barbed wire outside the court and police Nyalas were positioned in various places surrounding the court.
Scores of Malema supporters sang and danced outside the courthouse. The crowd was expected to swell as the day progressed. – Sapa
An arrest warrant has been issued for expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and he is due to appear in a Pietersburg (ANC name: Polokwane) court next week.
“We were notified today that a warrant of arrest was issued for Mr Malema,” Malema’s lawyer Nicqui Galaktiou told Sapa.
“We don’t know which court and when it will happen, but we are engaging with authorities on that. It will be in Pietersburg.”
She said Malema had not yet been arrested.
“No, he hasn’t. My understanding is that he won’t be arrested.”
She said the charges against her client were unknown.
“We do not know what the charges are and we don’t have a copy of the warrant.”
The City Press reported earlier that Malema faced charges of money laundering, corruption and fraud relating to his Ratanang Family Trust and its share holding in On-Point Engineering, a company that allegedly made millions from Limpopo government tenders.
Earlier, authorities refused to comment or confirm the warrant.
The SA Revenue Service said it had nothing to do with the warrant.
“…We want to state categorically that any and all reports that SARS requested that a warrant be issued for Mr Malema’s arrest are completely untrue and without foundation,” it said in a statement.
“SARS is not involved in the criminal investigation into and prosecution of this matter.”
The Hawks said it did not issue warrants.
“The Hawks don’t issue warrants, so we don’t comment on that,” said Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela.
Asked if the unit was planning to arrest Malema, he said: “Even if we were planning to arrest him, we won’t tell you.”
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, referred queries to provincial police.
Gauteng police spokesman, Brigadier Neville Malila, said he knew nothing about an arrest warrant for Malema.
Justice department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga could not immediately be reached for comment.
Malema’s close colleague, suspended ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Malema told reporters in Johannesburg if he was arrested, it would be done illegally.
“If we are illegally arrested tomorrow, we would have been arrested by [President] Jacob Zuma,” Malema said at the time.
He said he was willing and ready to go to jail, and was not intimidated.
“I have nothing to hide… I only have my convictions. Nothing will stop me from fighting for economic freedom, not even my death… We are unshaken.”
Malema said he had it “on good authority” that there were instructions “to get rid of some us…”
At the time, presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said: “The presidency is aware that this person is prone to making wildly unsubstantiated and unwarranted claims and statements, and we do not wish to dignify them.” – Sapa
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Two people were arrested for running a “black dollar scam” in Cape Town on Tuesday, said police.
