By Fouzia van der Fort
Fraud accused Mogamat Naziem Saban has handed blood tests and a psychiatric report to the Cape Town Regional Court to support his claim that he is receiving treatment for a medical condition.
Saban, 50, who has bipolar disorder, is charged on 178 counts, including fraud, failure to submit income tax returns and theft totalling R550 000.
Last month he was ordered by the court to comply with his psychiatrist's recommendation of regular blood tests, failing which he would face prison,
He handed in the tests and documentation during a brief appearance in the Regional Court on Wednesday.
Advocate Sibda Mohamed said his client was complying with treatment and had had two psychiatric consultations and undergone two blood tests since his last appearance on February 4. The dosage of some of his drugs had been increased and one reduced, Mohamed told the court.
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Magistrate Wilma van der Merwe reiterated that the blood results were there to confirm that Saban was taking his medication.
Saban is on a mood stabiliser and anti-psychotic medication to treat bipolar disorder and hypomania.
On Wednesday he appeared in good spirits and was neatly dressed in a suit.
At his last court appearance, Saban's psychiatrist, Dr Nazea Jamie, told the court that Saban was not mentally stable and would realise the significance of the trial only after treatment.
According to the psychiatric report, telephonic contact was made with Saban's family who had to be educated about his mental condition and the importance of compliance with prescribed medication.
His family had accompanied him to his second session and he was found to be calmer, with fewer irritable outbursts.
He is charged with his wife, Ilham, 33, and their company, Sakina-tul-Gisaan Stables in Gatesville.
His wife was excused from attending court until May.
Saban was warned to return to court on April 7.
In another courtroom, Saban and several of his other companies, N Saban Painters, Fair Cape Painter and Renovators, Naka Investments, Saban Construction and Electrical, face 406 charges, including fraud, tax evasion and theft.
According to the 60-page charge sheet, it is alleged he committed fraud and neglected to file tax returns between 1995 and 2003.
This matter, before magistrate Judy Naidoo, was postponed to May 6.
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This article was originally published on page 6 of Cape Argus on March 05, 2009
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