20 March 2009
After a warrant for his arrest was obtained and upon his return from Iraq,
Johannes Uys was traced and arrested yesterday morning in Pretoria by the
Durban office of the Directorate of Special Operations. Two of his co-accused,
Wilhelmus Vermuelen and Tertius Rademeyer, handed themselves over and were
arrested this morning.
The accused, the state will allege and adduce evidence to that effect, form
part on a syndicate involved in an investment scam targeting municipalities in
KwaZulu-Natal.
UThungulu municipality near Richardâs Bay had its investment bond
certificates cashed with one of the commercial banks following a series of
misrepresentations made by the accused. Once cashed, acting for their benefit
and not on behalf of the municipality, the accused chose an investment vehicle
of their choice and invested the money with Saambou Bank. The bank collapsed
and the money invested was apparently not recovered.
The accused appeared briefly before the Johannesburg magistrateâs court
where they face charges of fraud and theft in the amount of R10,7 million. They
have been granted R5 000 bail each, with strict conditions. The case has been
postponed to 14 April 2009 for further investigations. More people are expected
to be arrested soon on another leg of this investigation involving a further
R17 million.
Enquiries:
NPA Spokesperson
Tlali Tlali
Cell: 082 333 3880
Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
20 March 2009
