NPA studying Philips acquittal

2008-11-27 22:54

Pretoria - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Wednesday was studying the judgment that saw brothel owner Andrew Phillips acquitted of all charges against him.

"The NPA is studying the judgment and we will comment in due course on what the next course of action will be, if any," said NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali.

Acording to the Star newspaper, the Johannesburg Regional Court on Wednesday cleared Phillips of charges including the owning of a brothel, living off the proceeds of prostitution, perjury and contravening the Immigration Act.

The magistrate ruled that the three private advocates who were responsible for his prosecution had not been properly sworn in to do the job.

The Directorate of Public prosecution was supposed to use only properly sworn-in prosecutor, who had taken an oath of office.

The advocates in the case were Malcolm Wallace, Alfred Cockrell and Edmund Wessels.

Phillips was arrested in 2000 and had his assets including a brothel seized by the Scorpions and placed under restraining order until the conclusion of his trial.

The crime busting unit at the time believed that Phillips had used his gentlemen's clubs, The Ranch and the Titty Twister, to make more than R70m from criminal activities.

According to the newspaper, the acquittal allowed Philips to make a representation before the Johannesburg High Court to force the Asset Forfeiture Unit to return his goods.

However on Thursday, Phillips' attorney Nigel Little could not be reached for comment with regard to the matter.

- SAPA