The recipients of a deceased property tycoon’s R2-million Audi R8 face fraud charges after selling the vehicle to a local Audi centre and fleeing the country just months later.
The six Congolese car guards were unexpectedly given the car and R10 000 in cash by Rob Taylor last year at Table Mountain. It was given on condition they use it for charitable purposes.
The men carved a slit into the car’s bonnet for people to drop off messages or donations. They then obtained the ownership certificate and registered it to one of the guards, who sold it last year to the Audi Centre in Cape Town for R1.25m.
Recent reports suggested that the guards sold the car, which resulted in Terrence Aupiais, Taylor’s business colleague laying fraud charges.
Aupiais challenged the validity of the sale on the grounds that the car belonged to the Angels Way Trust, of which he is the sole trustee. He claims in court papers that Taylor bought the car on behalf of the trust.
Aupiais alleged that the vehicle was given to the men to raise funds for the underprivileged, and not to be resold.
Audi Centre’s lawyer, Andre Pepler, told the Cape Times yesterday that his instructions were to oppose the application. “The matter is set down for the middle of May. The Audi Centre will oppose this,” he said.
After the sale of the vehicle, the matter was referred to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and a directive to investigate was given, as it was believed there was a possible case against the men.
Last week, Taylor fell to his death from the viewing platform at the top of Table Mountain in what rescue personnel suspect was a suicide.
The Cape Town-based developer is believed to have taken his own life in front of several other visitors to the mountain by jumping after taking the cableway to the top late on Sunday afternoon.
His body was found on Table Mountain on Sunday evening.
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