After numerous postponements over the course of several months, an alleged fraudster was due back in court yesterday (Thursday). In the morning, his name was called from the roll in the local Magistrate’s Court, but Mr Derek Poole was absent yet again.
The incident is the latest in a string of absences. His trial in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in Sandton, Gauteng recently stalled due to his not showing up for scheduled appearances on various fraud charges.
In the Lowveld, he is charged with fraud in Hazyview after allegedly not paying GAP Tours for a tour. It is claimed that he owes Ms Carol van der Westhuizen R25 000 for taking some of his clients – he worked as a tour operator – on a group safari.
In Mbombela he has been charged with fraud after his former business partner laid a complaint with police, accusing Poole of defrauding him of money. He also faces a charge of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm after allegedly coming to blows with his former landlord, Mr Louis-John Havemann.
The saga started last year, when Poole was arrested on the Hazyview-based charges in the Kruger National Park in November. Ever since then, his court appearances in the three towns have been peppered with his failure to attend – often due to his being due in more than one court on the same day.
However, on Thursday this was not the case and apparently no arrangements had been made by him or his legal representatives for his absence. Poole is due back in court in Mbombela on Monday.
