Johannesburg businessmen Zunaid Moti vowed on Thursday to clear his name after the police issued a warrant for his arrest on several charges, including attempted murder.
"The warrant pertains to non-business related matters and Mr Moti and his lawyer, Mr Ian Small-Smith are currently working with the relevant authorities to clear Mr Moti of all charges," his office said in a statement.
"Mr Moti is due to appear in court next week to clear his name and a further statement will be issued in due course," it said.
Earlier, police said a manhunt was underway for Moti, who had allegedly been on the run since a raid on his Sandton home on Saturday.
"Earlier, we received information that he had skipped the country, but after extensive investigation we have reason to believe that he is still in South Africa," said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane. Moti’s office stated that he was overseas when the warrant for arrest was issued and that he was informed of the warrant when he returned to South Africa.
"Moti is wanted in connection with several charges, one of them being attempted murder." The 37-year-old businessman is the owner of a luxury vehicle dealership, Future Exotics Lifestyle Emporium. He is also the chairman of property group Abalengani.
Moti said the matter in question pertained to his business partner Rafik Mohamed, Mohamed’s two sons and a complainant from Brits.
Moti states that he has never met or had any dealings with the complainant before. However, the complainant and the Mohameds “have had a history regarding a personal matter.”