Cape Town - A man formerly employed in the City of Cape Town’s ombudsman’s office, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bellville on Tuesday, charged with corruption.
Malcolm John Fritz, 54, of Milnerton, in Cape Town, was not asked to plead when he appeared before magistrate Sabrina
Sonnenberg.
According to the charge sheet, his alleged victim Laurette September, mentioned to an acquaintance, Ronnie Jacobs, that she wished to purchase the council house she occupied as the owner had died.
Jacobs told her he knew someone at the City of Cape Town, who might be able to assist her.
Prosecutor Tracy Belelie alleges that Jacobs later informed her that Fritz required R1000 to assist her.
September borrowed the money from her boyfriend.
It is alleged that, after receiving the money, Fritz said the house transaction would take three weeks to finalise.
Three weeks later, Fritz told her he had “sorted it out” and that the house would cost R100 000.
However, he allegedly wanted an extra R200 for his assistance, which she also paid.
According to the charge sheet, she then realised something was amiss, and that she would not get the house as promised.
She demanded the money back, and was refunded the R1000, but not the R200.
At the request of defence attorney Randall Titus, the case was postponed to January 17. Fritz’s bail of R800 was extended.
Sapa