An attorney, Phillip Khulile Masiza appeared briefly in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Thursday where he was granted bail of R10 000.
Masiza and his wife Nomsa were arrested and charged on six counts of theft totalling just over R1.7 million.
Masiza, the Director of Phillip Masiza Inc (PTY) LTD, appeared alongside his wife, Nomsa Masiza, an Estate agent and owner of Masiza Khulile Properties and Auctioneers Cc.
A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in the Eastern Cape Anelisa Ngcakani says the crimes were allegedly committed in March 2014 and in November 2019 while the couple was out on bail for a different offence.
It is alleged that the money was stolen from six clients who transferred it into the Phillip Masiza Incorporated trust account to purchase or to build property.
Ngcakani says it is further alleged that Masiza and Nomsa acted in common purpose in that they stole the amount from the trust account and used it for personal purposes.
She says Nomsa Masiza must still apply for bail and will do so on the 11th of March.
