By Fouzia van der Fort
A British man was released on bail of R20 000 after he allegedly defrauded his local travel agency boss of over R650 000.
Asad Waiyasil, 27, who faces fraud and theft charges involving the disappearance of R651 589, appeared briefly in the Cape Town magistrate's court on Friday.
The accounts clerk was arrested at Cape Town International Airport last week shortly before boarding a plane to return home to the UK.
It is alleged he had transferred amounts regularly from the account of Travelstart Online Travel Operations to his sister's London bank account between June last year and February this year.
The State said it would not oppose bail, but it should be high because of the amount stolen and that the accused was a flight risk.
Waiyasil's advocate, George Catsicadellis, read out the accused's affidavit in support of bail to the court.
He said the accused's family would raise the money for bail and that Waiyasil had no pending cases, outstanding warrants or previous convictions.
Magistrate Vusi Mhlanga granted Waiyasil bail on condition that he report to his nearest police station between 7am and 8pm three times a week.
The accused also had to hand over his passport and bank cards.
Waiyasil will be tried in the Bellville Special Commercial Crimes Court later this year.
He was warned to appear again in the Cape Town court next Thursday.