Laher loses court bid for assets

Judge happy procedure was followed

FRIDAY AUGUST 26 2016

CAPE Town businessman Irshaad ‘Hunter’ Laher, at the centre of an investigation into the alleged supply of guns to Cape gangs, has lost a bid to get back his assets, after the Western Cape High Court confirmed a provisional restraint order granted against him.

In a judgment delivered yesterday, Judge Elizabeth Baartman said she was satisfied the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) had made a good enough case.

She confirmed the restraint order which effectively freezes R9 million worth of Laher’s assets, including his Rondebosch home, vehicles and interests he had in two Spur franchises and a Nando’s outlet in Athlone.

Although his shares in the restaurants had already been transferred to third parties, the AFU suggested in papers that he was dissipating his assets – an allegation he denied.

He told the court he had no choice but to relinquish his interests in the restaurants as a result of the bad publicity.

Judge Baartman, however, did not take lightly to the manner in which the AFU conducted itself in the application and refused to grant a costs order in its favour.