The Western Province Athletics (WPA) board member who disappeared without a trace has been found in Gauteng and brought back to Cape Town.
But it won’t be a happy homecoming for Allen Barnes, 53, who faces fraud charges.
Barnes, a member of the WPA Financial Board, went missing on 4 January after leaving his Edgemead home shortly after 3am for an athletics event at Strandfontein Pavilion.
HEADING TO COURT: Allen Barnes faces fraud charges.
Barnes was driving his fiancee’s silver Toyota Corolla which was found a day later at Cape Town International Airport.
Cops said Barnes had also gone to GrandWest Casino before heading to the airport.
But police remained tight-lipped about their investigation after it emerged that Barnes was being probed for fraud and rumour had it that he had fled to Gauteng.
WPA President, Jakes Jacobs, later confirmed they were investigating Barnes after irregularities were found: “As a board, we have found irregularities since Mr Allen Barnes’ disappearance and we are conducting a full investigation in the matter.”
Yesterday, police spokesperson, Colonel André Traut confirmed Barnes has been found and now faces charges of fraud.
“This office can confirm that the circumstances surrounding a fraud case reported to Sea Point police are being investigated.
“The suspect in the matter, 53-year-old Allen Barnes, was arrested on 10 January 2020 in Gauteng where he also made a brief court appearance on Monday 13 January 2020,” Traut said.
INVESTIGATE: Jakes Jacobs
Barnes is set to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
“He is scheduled to make his second court appearance in Cape Town on 20 January 2020. Allen Barnes was reported missing at the Bothasig police station more than a week ago, but this file has since been closed.”
A source close to the WPA says they are trying to oust Barnes as fast as possible.
“The association hates bad publicity and they’re already in the process of looking for his replacement. Things are going to get ugly,” the source said.