Bail Denied to Portuguese National Arrested on Red Notice

Joao Manuel de Oliveira Rendeiro(69) was denied bail today in the Verulam Magistrates' Court. His appearance relates to his recent arrest in Umhlanga, on an Interpol Red Notice.
 
In September this year Rendeiro was convicted of tax evasion and money laundering amounting to 31 million euros in Portugal and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. He took the matter on appeal and when Portuguese authorities realised that he had absconded, they issued the Red Notice.
 
With Rendeiro in custody, South African authorities received a second international warrant from Portugal for Rendiero’s arrest. This pertains to charges of computer forgery and forgery of bulletins and minutes, where he was sentenced to five years and eight months imprisonment. This sentence was finalised, even though Rendeiro had appealed right up to the Constitutional Court.

In denying Rendeiro bail today, the Regional Court Magistrate Rajesh Parshotham said:
 
a) He is a flight risk in terms of Section 60(4)(b) read with Section 60(6) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
 
b) His release on bail will undermine the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, including the bail system in terms of Section 60 (4) (d) read with Section 60(8) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
 
Rendeiro has a right to appeal the denial of bail by serving a notice of intention to appeal on the state within 14 days of the judgement.
 
Any appeal against the refusal of bail by a magistrates' court will be heard by the High Court.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
Regional Spokesperson
DPP KZN