'Pleasure boss' is back

2008-11-26 22:41

Amanda Tongha

Johannesburg - Andrew Phillips, former owner of the The Ranch and the Titty Twister strip clubs, was acquitted in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on various prostitution-related charges - eight years after being charged.

Phillips promised on Wednesday that he will be back in the industry next year. "This time bigger, better and proudly South African."

He was charged with running a brothel, employing illegal prostitutes, living off the proceeds of prostitution and making false statements.

His clubs were closed in December 2000 and frozen, along with other assets like vehicles and property.

Wednesday's verdict means these assets, estimated at R100m, will now be returned to him.

Phillips, who celebrated his victory with about 30 friends at the Pigalle restaurant in Sandton, lashed out Willie Hofmeyr, deputy national director of Public Prosecution, among others.

Phillips said the reason why he was prosecuted was not to stop prostitution, but to get hold of his assets.

He promised he would sue the asset forfeiture unit [of the National Prosecuting Authority] for about R500m.

Phillips, 50, said when he was 41, all his credit cards, bank accounts and vehicles were taken away.

"They took everything on the Wednesday and on the Thursday you were supposed to carry on with your life."

He said he had done nothing wrong and had openly done business.

"I don't trade in child prostitution, drugs or people."

He said apart from the money for which he is going so sue the state, the court case had cost the state R80m.

In his judgment Magistrate Steff Bezuidenhout said Phillips' allegations that he had been prosecuted unfairly were entirely justified.

He mentioned that there were a multitude of advertisements in the newspapers every day advertising prostitutes and brothels, but that no steps were taken.

Phillips, who at present works as a consultant at the Lollypop strip club, said his clubs will open their doors again next year.

- Beeld