DURBAN businessman, Thoshan Panday, 52, will remain behind bars after the Durban High Court dismissed his appeal on his bail refusal.
Panday, 52, was arrested on September 5 for allegedly defrauding the South African Revenue Services (Sars) of R7.3 million.
He was denied bail a week later and took the decision on appeal.
The grounds of the appeal included that the magistrate’s refusal of bail wrong that he was a flight risk, that there was a likelihood that he would interfere with witnesses or the investigation of the case; and that the magistrate failed to weigh the interests of justice against his right to his personal freedom.
In handing down her judgment, Judge Esther Steyn said: “I am satisfied that the learned magistrate considered all of the objective facts before him and applied the applicable legal principles pertaining to bail when he considered that the interests of justice do not permit the appellant’s release on bail under the given circumstances.”
The matter will return to court at the end of the month.