First rape, now fraud

2003-11-17 13:20

Polokwane - Shortly after a prominent Limpopo politician was freed on bail in connection with a number of sexual charges on Monday, he was arrested on suspicion of fraud.

The 56-year-old man was arrested on Friday on charges of attempted rape, indecent assault and contravention of the Sexual Offences Act.

He was subsequently suspended from the Democratic Alliance which he joined the day before.

He was a high-ranking member of the Freedom Front Plus before, but that party said it had also suspended him some time earlier.

The Polokwane magistrate's court freed the man on bail of R6 000 on Monday, but police arrested him immediately afterwards, Limpopo police spokesperson Superintendent Ronel Otto said.

He is alleged to have written cheques to the amount of R35 000 in 2001 while he knew his cheque account did not exist any longer, she said.

The man was expected to appear in the same court on these charges on Tuesday.

The sexual offences matter was postponed until January 6.

According to the law, the man may not be named until he has pleaded to the sexual offence.

- SAPA