The owner of the Johannesburg brothel The Ranch continues his legal battle against the authorities on Friday in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
Andrew Lionel Phillips, who describes the Johannesburg enterprise as ‘an executive stress-relief centre’, has appealed against a restraint order the State has obtained against him.
The Johannesburg High Court earlier granted the restraint order in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The State applied for it, holding out the prospect of eventual confiscation of Phillips’ assets in terms of the act.
Phillips questioned the constitutionality of the act in his appeal application. He accused the State of having ”an ulterior motive” in applying for the restraint order.
He argued there were no reasonable grounds to believe that a confiscation order would eventually be granted against him. Alternatively he contended that if a restraint order should be made, it should be limited to the extent of his personal assets which amounted to around R5,9-million. This amount excluded the assets of Phillips’ 14 related businesses, against whom the high court order was also granted.
Earlier this week the criminal case against Phillips in the Johannesburg Regional Court was postponed for another six months due to full court rolls.
Phillips, who is currently out on bail, is facing various charges, including living off the proceeds of prostitution and employing illegal aliens. – Sapa