North West fraud accused couple in court
2013-01-10 21:53
Johannesburg - A fraud accused couple appeared on Thursday in the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court for failing to comply with a court order freezing their assets, North West police said.
Martie and Andries Mulder's assets were frozen after they were arrested in 2011 for allegedly transferring at least R5m from Martie's employers into their personal bank accounts, spokesperson Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
Martie worked for a law firm and had access to the firm's Road Accident Fund claims, meant for accident victims.
"In 2011, the Asset Forfeiture Unit obtained a restraint order for freezing the Mulders' assets in the North West High Court.
The purpose of the restraint order was to freeze their assets until their criminal trial was completed."
The court appointed a curator who attached the couple's movable assets. Five vehicles and two boats worth over R700 000 were attached and removed.
One vehicle and the contents of the property they were staying in were however left for them to use. The curator visited them to ensure the assets were still in good condition.
In November last year, the curator learnt the Mulders had moved from their last known residential address without informing him.
"It was established that the rest of the movable assets had been attached by a creditor and sold on 18 July 2012 for their rental debt."
The Mulders also failed to submit a monthly income and an expenditure affidavit to the curator, as required. T
hey failed to contact the curator should there be any threat to attach any of the frozen assets.
The curator learnt that on 29 November last year Andries sold their dinner set and several paintings to a pawn shop in Rustenburg.
They were charged with fraud and would appear in court again on 21 January to apply for bail.
- SAPA
