R14m fraud case against Malalane attorneys: 1 in custody, another gets bail

Zietta Janse van Rensburg (40) has been remanded in custody, while her co-accused, her former father-in-law, Johan Janse van Rensburg (73), was granted R10 000 bail.

The two lawyers appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in a hearing convened on short notice on Monday afternoon (April 13), after being arrested by the Mpumalanga-based Hawks in Malalane earlier in the day.

They face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

ALSO READ: Zietta Janse van Rensburg: Legal Practice Council moves to revive stalled disbarment case

While Johan was given the opportunity to apply for bail immediately, Zietta was not, and her case was postponed to Tuesday, April 14.

Magistrate Patrick Morris ordered that both accused appear in court on Tuesday, regardless of whether Johan had paid bail, as it was already too late in the afternoon for the payment to be processed at the court.

ALSO READ: Hawks action deepens Malalane legal saga: Zietta and Johan Janse van Rensburg arrested 

Johan was also instructed to hand over his passports to the investigating officer, Richard Mandla Mphepheta, by Tuesday.

In his bail application, Johan stated that his age and multiple health conditions, including asthma, should be considered.

Mphepheta did not oppose bail, confirming that Johan’s address and business premises had been verified and that he was not considered a flight risk.

Mphepheta told the court that Johan was implicated after R14m was paid into his Standard Bank trust account by a local businessman.

The payment was for the purchase of business premises that were never transferred, resulting in a financial loss.