The Wynberg Magistrates’ Court denied bail for Shahied Davids, who is accused of stealing more than R1.2 million from Umrah pilgrims.
Also read: Umrah swindler deemed a flight risk during first court appearance
According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, his bail was denied on Friday.
The 58-year-old owner of New Travel Agency faced two counts of fraud after more than 30 Muslim pilgrims reportedly each paid him more than R35 000 to go on Umrah in December.
Upon their arrival at Cape Town International Airport, the group discovered that their flights were cancelled and their names removed from the system, News24 reports.
The State deemed Davids a flight risk due to his knowledge of the travel industry and was concerned that he would attempt to pay the victims to have the charges against him dropped. He was arrested at the airport on 14 January.
The case was postponed to 31 January.
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Also read:
Alleged pilgrimage swindler arrested at Cape Town International Airport
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