ASIAN WAS TAKING E18M TO DUBAI

The Asian man arrested for being found in possession of E18 million in cash, is said to have been taking the money to Dubai. Momed Khalid Ayoob will be behind bars at least until Friday as the crown yesterday opposed his bail application at the High Court.He filed the application through his lawyer Ntobeko Piliso from Piliso, Simelane and Partners.Justice Thomas Masuku postponed the matter to Friday to allow the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file opposing papers. Crown Counsel Phila Dlamini yesterday filed a notice of intention to oppose the application, in the matter which was held in Justice Masuku’s chambers.Ayoob was not present in court as the matter had initially been proposed to be heard at 2:30pm.He claims that he is from Mozambique and is a business magnate operating businesses in Mozambique and Dubai. He alleges that his businesses deals with garments, electronics and motor vehicle sales.Ayoob was arrested by police attached in the Manzini Fraud and Commercial Unit on December 1, 2010 at the Matsapha Airport. He is alleged to have failed to declare over E18 million found in his possession, in contravention of Section 81 of the Customs and Excise Act of 1971."I submit before this honourable court that I have a bona fide and valid defence to the charge that I am facing in that the provisions under which I have been charged, are not applicable in the circumstances, particularly because I was en-route to Dubai where I run a business under the style Ibrahim Alshamse (PTY) LTD," reads Ayoob’s affidavit.He further alleges that he supplies goods to businesses in Mozambique and Angola. He claims that the money found in his possession had been paid to him by his customers in Mozambique. He also says he will plead not guilty to the offence during the hearing. He undertook to abide by any conditions the court may set when admitting him to bail. He also said he would not abscond trial, particularly considering that the money is in the custody of the police and he cannot leave it behind. He is currently kept at Manzini Police Station, waiting to be transferred to the Zakhele remand centre.(TIMES OF SWAZILAND)