Motala brothers appear in court
This was the airport's second largest currency bust this year.
IT’S been a rough month or so for Port Shepstone’s Motala brothers.
Provincial legislator, Hassan Motala, has been back in court for his alleged involvement in a multi-million rand housing scam. These are the second set of fraud charges to be levelled against him in recent months.
The IFP MPL, along with three others, stands accused of selling alleged fake contracts to people, claiming that they were building low cost housing for the Department of Human Settlements.
His bail application is currently being heard in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
His brother, Husain Farouk Motala, (37) was arrested recently at King Shaka International Airport with more than R7.9-million in cash in his luggage while on his way to China via Dubai.
He was charged with failure to declare the funds when leaving the country. He didn’t attend his bail application as he was in hospital and his attorney appeared on his behalf.
His bail was set at R60 000 and he is expected to appear at the Durban Commercial Crime Court on June 2.
The case is being investigated by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
A statement released by SARS, said that the bust had been made by customs officials who intercepted the consignment.
SARS customs officers became suspicious when five suitcases scheduled for loading at the departing Emirates flight to Dubai were being removed from the international arrivals hall.
“Upon investigation, it was established the owner of the suitcases was not processed to depart by immigration due to a problem with his passport, thus resulting in him and his suitcases being pulled off the flight. SARS customs officials directed the luggage for a search.”
The heavy suitcases made officials suspicious of their contents.
“In the first suitcase, envelopes packed with South African bank notes were found. The other suitcases were then scanned and the images of four suitcases were consistent with the suitcase found with money. One suitcase was found to contain personal effects.
“The search revealed the four suitcases to be full of envelopes packed with South African bank notes totalling R7 909 200,” the statement read.
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