Five convicted of helping to move R135m
Five Chatsworth, Durban, relatives admitted in the Commercial Crimes Court that they helped a Durban-based Chinese businessman transfer more than $10m (about R135m) home illegally, says a Sunday Tribune report. The accused – Mohammed Ebrahim, Bilkis Karim, Rohaida Valley, Ebrahim Cassim and Iqbal Hoosen – who are all unemployed, pleaded guilty to charges relating to breaching the SA Reserve Bank Act. They allegedly moved large sums in multiple transactions.
The businessman, who is legally only allowed to move R1m a year out of the country, allegedly asked an employee to help him move the money, and the worker turned to the family for help with the transfers. They said they got R150 for each transaction and listed ‘gift’ as the reason for the transfers.
Represented by attorney Amith Luckan, the accused entered into a plea bargain with the state. Cassim and Ebrahim received a R10 000 fine or six months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years. Valley and Karim received R20 000 fines each or 12 months in jail, suspended for five years. Hoosen received a R10 000 fine or six months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
