A Gqeberha chartered accountant accused of stealing more than R52m from two retail outlets appeared briefly in the city’s magistrate’s court on Wednesday where his case was postponed pending possible plea negotiations with the state.
Jonathan Blow, 51, stands accused of siphoning off more than R11m from the Despatch SuperSPAR and more than R40m from the Sunridge SuperSPAR over a two-year period.
According to the state, between July 2020 and September 2022, Blow, who was contracted by both stores to do their books, had stolen the money to feed his alleged gambling addiction.
The married father of two was arrested on March 17, four days after receiving a British ancestral visa and shortly after placing his two Walmer properties on the market.
He was denied bail in the city’s magistrate’s court and last month lost a bid to appeal against the decision not to release him from custody.
Judge Vuyokasi Noncembu agreed with magistrate Thembakazie Mlindazwe that Blow posed a flight risk and that he may interfere with state witnesses or tamper with evidence.
Blow closed his business, PE Accounting Solutions (PEAS) in February, but had been offering Sars-related services to the Acres SPAR and Rink Street Pharmacy at the time of his arrest.
His case was postponed to August 15.
