Krejcir co-accused granted bail

Two people accused of fraud and money laundering along with a manager at Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir's business Money Point were granted bail on Friday.

Absa bank employees Naledi Clifford None, 26, and Dimakatso Surprise Kunupi, 32, were released on R3 000 bail each by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court.

Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi instructed them to be back in court on February 4.

Kunupi was fired following an internal disciplinary hearing. None was suspended. They were arrested on November 20.

Proceedings to deal with Krejcir's manager, Ivan Savov, and a fourth accused, Absa bank employee, Voyolwethu Vuyo Koboka, were expected to continue later in the day.

Earlier, Savov, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, walked down the corridor taking small steps because of the shackles around his ankles. He was flanked by his co-accused who tried to shy away from the cameras. The four sat in a corner of the courtroom as they waited for proceedings to start.

Johan Schaefer, for Kunupi, said she had done nothing wrong, but was negligent by giving Koboka her access card and passwords to authorise certain transactions.

"My client blew the whistle on Vuyo [Koboka]. We have evidence available that he is a liar," said Schaefer.

In their affidavits submitted to court as part of their bail applications, both None and Kunupi denied knowing Savov.

Victor Mashele, for None, said his client was Koboka's manager in a bank at one stage.

Prosecutor Richard Tshabalala said the charges against the four involved more than R12 million.

Savov and Koboka are accused of fraud and money laundering. They were arrested on November 14.

During his last court appearance on Tuesday, the State asked the home affairs department how Savov had secured a South African identity document.

Piet du Plessis, for Savov, said the matter had been under investigation since February, and the State should therefore be aware of Savov's status in the country.

According to the draft charge sheet, Koboka allegedly made unauthorised transfers amounting to R12 million between January 26 and February 2 from an account held by Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts.

The money was allegedly transferred to an attorney's account before being moved into Savov's bank account.

On November 12, two people died and five were injured in an explosion at Money Point, in Bedfordview, on the East Rand. The charges against Savov and Koboka are not related to the blast.

After None and Kunupi were granted bail court was briefly adjourned before the bail applications of Savov and Koboka.

It was unclear when proceedings would continue.