Cape Town businessman Irshaad Laher will appear in the Western Cape High Court on
Friday for the first time.
Yesterday, Laher, 41 appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court for the last time as his trial is now set to begin.
Laher is accused of buying over 2 000 firearms meant for destruction from former policeman, Colonel Christiaan Prinsloo, for R100 each and selling them at a marked up price of
R4 500 to skollies, raking in a profit of R9 million.
Prinsloo is already serving an 18-year prison term and is expected to testify against Laher during the trial.
He was arrested in June and two months later, he applied to the court to have over R4 million of his assets unfrozen.
This after the Asset and Forfeiture Unit cracked down on his assets.
Laher sold off his shares in two Spur and two Nando’s restaurants.
He was released on R100 000 bail following his arrest in June.
Laher faces seven charges — racketeering, corruption, money laundering, the illegal sale of firearms and ammunition, theft, the possession of prohibited firearms, and the illegal possession of ammunition.
The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Western Cape Chairperson Bernard Joseph called for harsher bail conditions for the suspected gun smuggler.
“It is a joke that the bail is set so low. Laher can pay R100 000 with the change in his tiekie pocket from the money he has made from his criminal activities,” he said.
The seriousness of his crimes, combined with the wealth and criminal connections he has amassed, makes him a flight risk. The bail must be revoked and he must sit in a cell to await his trial.”
Prinsloo’s stolen guns have been linked to murders and attempted murders in Belhar, Hanover Park, Wesbank and Delft.
The youngest victim was six-year-old Leeana van Wyk who was shot in her head outside her Hanover Park home in September 2012. The child survived the incident.