Embattled businessperson-turned-presidential hopeful Sandile Shezi is out on R20 000 bail.
Clad in a grey checked suit and a blue polo T-shirt, Shezi cut a lonely figure with no friends or family except his lawyer when he appeared at the Wynberg magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
The flamboyant businessperson took out his phone and proceeded to make calls as he stood in the court’s holding cells after being set free on bail.
This after he handed himself over to the police in the morning, a week after launching his new political party Vuka Ma-Africa.
His court appearance relates to a case of fraud which was opened in Sandton in 2022, after he allegedly defrauded a retired principal of R1.2-million pension payout, which was deposited into his account as an investment in his Forex trading company.
Shezi did not comment on the charges he faces, however, he posted on social media later: “Trust the process and the journey, even when you don’t understand them. The answers will reveal themselves when the time is right.”
He is due back in court in July for the start of trial.
Shezi, the self-proclaimed youngest forex trading millionaire in the country who, at the age of 23 reportedly amassed over a million rands through forex trading, is being investigated by the Hawks for allegedly scamming unsuspecting investors.
His victims were scammed after they made deposits into his forex trading company Global Forex Institute with hopes of receiving high interest.
Last week, he announced that he will be standing for the presidency in the general elections scheduled for 2024, stating that he has started a political party which will be launched on May 24.
“I think we spend too much time complaining … we can sit all day and discuss matters and never find any solutions … but if we come together, there’s a lot that can actually be done,” he said at the announcement of the new political party.
At 31-years old, he will be the youngest person to contest in the elections to become the president of the country.
Shezi is known for his flashy lifestyle, driving around in multimillion-rand vehicles and for travelling first-class while on vacation abroad.
He owns a fleet of luxury cars including a Lamborghini Gallardo, Range Rover Velar, Ferrari California T, Maserati Grancabrio, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and a BMW i8. He also owns a mansion at an exclusive private estate.
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