Durban – The Durban High Court has thrown out businessman Toshan Panday’s bail appeal saying the fraud accused was a flight risk.
Panday was arrested on 5 September 2024 in connection with 27 tax-related fraud charges involving R7,3 million.
The accused approached the high court after his initial bail application was refused by Durban Magistrate S Zuma.
On Monday, (7 October 2024), Judge Esther Steyn ruled that Panday was a flight risk.
Previously, Panday supplied false information to the court when he applied for a variation of the bail condition to travel to the United Emirates, Italy, Europe, and other countries listed in his itinerary.
He instead travelled to the United States of America, deviating from what the court had authorised.
The judgment also highlighted that releasing Panday on bail could bring the criminal justice into disrepute.
The matter will return to the Durban High Court on 24 October 2024.
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This relates to corruption allegations wherein Panday is charged with eight others.
“The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) notes the dismissal of Toshan Panday’s bail appeal by the Durban High Court,” said IDAC spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
