The alleged Absa hacker Johannes Jacobus Fourie appeared briefly in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with fraud reportedly involving R500 000.
He appeared before magistrate Clive Linden, and was remanded to August 4 when his defence team comprising counsel Sakkie Maartens and attorney Chris Watney will decide whether to launch a bail application on his behalf.
The charge sheet gave Fourie’s age as 35 and his address as The Digteby Guest House in Mountainview Drive, Ridgeworth.
According to the charge sheet Fourie was arrested on July 24. His wife sat in the court during the proceedings. The state was represented by Anthony Stephen of the local directorate of public prosecution who said he had discussed the postponement of the case for further investigation with Maartens, who had no objection.
Maartens told the court that Fourie was aware of his rights concerning bail, and that the defence would make further arrangements about this.
Maartens said he hoped to be in a position to launch a bail application, or at least raise the question of bail, at his next appearance.
On Sunday Western Cape provincial head of detective services, Andre du Toit, told a media briefing there had been 10 complaints between May 12 and July 18 of illegal transactions from savings, personal and other Absa accounts from Durbanville, Montagu, Stellenbosch and Paarl.
Du Toit said the value of the fraud and theft was estimated to be R500 000 and withdrawals ranged from between R2 000 and R320 000. He said said police were investigating Fourie’s connection with other individuals. Du Toit said some of the money had been recovered. – Sapa