The Belhar man who allegedly ran an illegal licensing and police clearance operation made a brief court appearance on Tuesday.
Elton Abrahams appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court facing charges of racketeering, money laundering and corruption.
Police clearance is a certificate cops issue to people who require information on their criminal status for immigration purposes or to work abroad.
Fingerprinting is required and the issuing of a clearance certificate is the sole responsibility of SAPS’ criminal record centre in Pretoria.
The chunky 33-year-old, who police sources say is linked to a notorious Cape Flats gang boss, looked calm as he made his way into the courtroom, while he briefly scanned the gallery for a familiar face.
He was arrested at his home in Adam Tas Road, Belhar, on Sunday following an investigation by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the Department of Transport.
Cops say two luxury cars, several identity documents and cash were confiscated from the property.
While it was initially reported that “almost R5.3 million” was found at the house, yesterday the court heard the cash amounted to around R3.7 million.
State Prosecutor Max Orban said this is a schedule five offence, and that more arrests were expected.
“Where the amount is more that R100 000, it is a schedule five offence,” Orban told the Media outside the courtroom.
“More charges can be added. There will be more people [arrested],” he says.
Meanwhile, Abrahams’ lawyer, Beron Rautenbach, says he doesn’t know much about the charges at this stage and has not yet received any instruction from his client.
“We know very little at this stage, we have not seen the full charge sheet yet,” he says.
“So we are first concentrating on getting him [out on] bail and we will take it from there,” he says.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha says the investigation continues and the possibility of more arrests “cannot be ruled out”.
Abrahams was remanded in custody and the matter was postponed to November 22 for bail information.