s co-accused in a R102 million fraud, money laundering and theft case.
He is applying for bail, arguing he is not a flight risk as he had a wife, children and property in South Africa.
The State, however, believes, he may flee as he has the means and is not a South African or in the country legally.
Willah Mudolo, one of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri s co-accused, is just as likely to flee if granted bail, the State argued on Tuesday.
He claimed he had a life in South Africa - which includes expensive property, his wife and children - and would therefore not evade trial if released on bail.
iStock
Willah Mudolo is one of Shepherd Bushiri s co-accused in a R102 million fraud, money laundering and theft case.
In his bail application, the State alleges Mudolo had access to cellphones while in custody, where a conversation about bribing court officials took place.
Mudolo has refuted this, stating his signature was forged on a document where he admitted to having a cellphone.
Willah Mudolo, one of Shepherd Bushiri s alleged accomplices, has accused the Department of Correctional Services of forging his signature on a document in which he confessed to having access to a cellphone while in custody.
This accusation formed part of Mudolo s defence in the Pretoria Magistrate s Court on Tuesday where he was formally applying for bail.
News24 Wire Mudolo, his wife Zethu, self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary and Landiwe Ntlokwana face multiple charges of fraud, theft and money laundering amounting to R102 million. Picture for illustration. Shepherd Bushiri, his wife Mary and co-accused Landiwe Ntlokwana in
Pretoria Magistrate s Court. Picture: Jacques Nelles
This was alleged by the State during the continuation of Mudolo’s bail application in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Mudolo, his wife Zethu, self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife Mary and Landiwe Ntlokwana face multiple charges of fraud, theft and money laundering in relation to an investment scam that allegedly defrauded investors to the tune of R102 million.
Loan
However, one of the chief investigators in the case who took the stand on Monday opposing the bail application told the court that Mudolo had an outstanding loan of R8 248 404.88 which was taken out against the property.
The outstanding balance was paid in full while Mudolo, who was arrested on 17 October, was incarcerated in Kgosi Mampuru prison.
“This indicates to me that accused number 1 [Mudolo] has access to vast amounts of funds even while incarcerated and therefore remains a major flight risk,” the investigating officer told the court.
In an affidavit, the company which granted Mudolo the loan confirmed that the outstanding amount had been paid and also listed the dates when payments were made by a company, of which Mudolo is a director.
Bushiri fraud case: Co-accused paid off R8m loan while behind bars, court hears news24.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from news24.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.