Ranch owner continues fight

2003-08-15 12:10

Bloemfontein - The owner of Johannesburg club The Ranch is continuing his legal battle in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Andrew Lionel Phillips, who describes the Johannesburg enterprise as 'an executive stress-relief centre', has appealed against a restraint order the State has obtained against him.

The Johannesburg High Court earlier granted the restraint order in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The State applied for it, holding out the prospect of eventual confiscation of Phillips' assets in terms of the act.

Phillips questioned the constitutionality of the act in his appeal application. He accused the State of having "an ulterior motive" in applying for the restraint.

He argued there were no reasonable grounds to believe that a confiscation order eventually would be granted against him.

Alternatively, he contended that if a restraint order should be made, it should be limited to the extent of his personal assets which amounted to about R5.9m.

This amount excluded the assets of Phillips's 14 related businesses, against whom the high court order was also granted.

Earlier this week, the criminal case against Phillips in Johannesburg regional court was postponed for another six months because the court rolls were full.

Phillips, who is on bail, is facing various charges, including living off the proceeds of prostitution and employing illegal aliens.

- SAPA