A Milnerton man charged with the illegal possession of ivory products and elephant tusks worth an estimated R10 million has been granted bail of R1m.
Qi Lu appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday after his arrest at his business in Spearhead Business Park, Montague Gardens, last Wednesday.
Lu, 34, was arrested after SA Revenue Service members conducted a routine inspection at a courier company and found a large consignment of ivory addressed to Lu.
The Hawks, Sars and CapeNature conducted an undercover operation that led them to the business premises where more ivory products and elephant tusks were seized. A cutting machine used to manufacture ivory products was also found.
State advocate Aradhana Heeramun said the prosecution was not opposed to Lu’s release on bail, but suggested R2m because the value of the illegal items allegedly found in Lu’s possession was worth between R6m and R10m.
Lu’s lawyer, Zurena Abrahams, said her client did not have a criminal record and suggested bail be fixed at R100 000.
“These offences are extremely prevalent and sensitive at this stage. To set bail at R100 000 is an absolute mockery,” Heeramun said.
She said Lu had a South African and Chinese passport, and that surrendering his passport would not guarantee that he returned to court. Despite Lu not having a criminal record, Heeramun mentioned that he had no fixed assets in SA.
“This accused has to be red-flagged at Home Affairs and the Chinese consulate. The State is asking for R2 million bail and the accused should consider himself fortunate that the State is not opposing bail. He is an affluent man of financial stature,” Heeramun said.
Abrahams said: “The purpose of bail isn’t to burden an accused. The accused has no intention of moving to China, he has made his life here in South Africa. He is a South African citizen.”
She said the State was in possession of his SA passport and that he would also declare his Chinese passport.
“The accused has no objection to reporting conditions or any other conditions or assisting the investigating officer in the investigation,” she said.
After considering the application, magistrate Jasthree Steyn set bail at R1m, with strict conditions that Lu report to Milnerton police station every day, surrender all previous and current passports, and prohibited him from visiting any port of entry.
Lu must also notify the investigating officer if he wanted to leave the Cape Peninsula, and if his address and contact details changed.
He is due back in court on May 16.
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