White Collar "High Flyer" Criminal Nabbed

Western Cape Minister for Community Safety, Leonard Ramatlakane, has welcomed the arrest of another 'high flyer' by members of the Criminal Justice Cluster (SAPS, NPA, Scorpions, NIA, Correctional Services) today. (27 October 2004)

Gary van der Merwe was arrested along with three others, namely Paul Kilian, Tyrone Oates and Karin Hoge.

Van der Merwe has been classified as one of the most sought after high flyer criminals in Cape Town and was listed amongst the top 200 criminals that President Thabo Mbeki wanted arrested in the country.

He appeared in the Bellville Magistrate's court today and will be facing charges of tax fraud estimated at R12 million rand.

He is to face a series of charges relating to defrauding the state and various estate agents.

He is also on trial for charges to violation of exchange control.

Commenting on the arrest, Minister Ramatlakane said: "Gary van der Merwe is a high flyer criminal in a particular category. His web of crimes were mainly financial having robbed the state of millions of rands.

"His arrest is a demonstration that the integrated criminal justice agencies are committed to prove that joining of resources to fight crime is the way to go.

" His (van der Merwe's) arrest is further proof that crime is not only committed by people who live in Mitchell's Plain and Khayelitsha. Our agencies have showed us that even if you live in Plattekloof, they will get you.

" I therefore would want to reiterate my call to those who still harbour intentions of emulating the likes of Van der Merwe and Quintin Marinus and become gangsters or druglords, they should stop or they will be stopped."

Minister Ramatlakane also cautioned that "We would want to make it clear that as the integrated agencies, we would explore all legal routes at our disposal to do the right thing in our fight against crime."

Van der Merwe has been released on bail of R60 000. Paul Kilian and Tyrone Oates have been released on bail of R30 000 each while Karin Hoge was granted bail of R20 000. They will appear in court again on the 26 January 2004.

Van der Merwe and the three have been also ordered to surrender their passports.

Last week, the integrated Criminal Justice cluster agencies swooped on houses around Cape Town and arrested 15 people who include a suspected mastermind of a notorious organised crime syndicate.

The syndicate leader is Quintin Marinus who originally grew up in a life of crime in Elsiesrivier. At the time of the arrest he owned several properties including a luxury house in Platterkloof worth R900 000, and a series of luxury vehicles, Siyaya taxis and ski boats. All these assets including a farm, are worth over R10 million, have since been seized by the Assets Forfeiture Unit. The arrested will appear in Bellville Magistrates court on Monday next week.