Mounting allegations against South African businessman
Jessica Bezuidenhout from the newspaper wrote back at the beginning of February that Ntinos "lives in a Camps Bay condo, zips around in luxury German cars in Cape Town. Yet his company, Cosmo Fruit, was billed “hopelessly insolvent” by the high court in Cape Town and liquidated. An avalanche of creditors, hell-bent on recovering losses they claim to have incurred as a result of their dealings with his company, continue to pursue him.
"Documents allege creditors are from as far afield as India, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Greece."
According to the newspaper liquidators have confirmed details submitted by some of these creditors, which include two companies in Greece, owed R1.9-million and R1.6-million respectively, and five entities based in India submitted requisitions for claims totalling more than R5-million.
One of the main "victims" in these reports is Mendiswa Mzamane, the owner of Razoscan, who according the the newspaper, suffered a R2-million loss when Ntinos allegedly short-changed her on delivery of a consignment of Valencia oranges.
"She had contracted Ntinos to supply the oranges for her client in Dubai, but Ntinos delivered just one of 15 containers that her bank had paid him to deliver to a supermarket chain in Dubai.
"The Hawks have confirmed they are investigating a R2-million fraud case against Ntinos, a Greek citizen with permanent residence in South Africa, following a complaint by Mzamane.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, said the investigation was 'at an advanced stage'.
Ntinos was the owner of Cosmo Fruit, a company in the fruit import/export trade, which folded in December when Bet El Fruits obtained a liquidation order for just over R260 000 in unpaid debt. According to the Mail & Guardian, Bet El Fruit was one of several alleged creditors owed amounts ranging from R150 000 to R2.8-million, all of which Ntinos disputes, according to papers filed in the liquidation case.
"Ntinos declined to respond to questions from the Mail & Guardian about the case involving Mzamane. But in court papers he dismissed Bet El Fruit’s claim against him as “crude and opportunistic”, arguing that he had a counterclaim against the company.
"But acting judge Mark Sher, citing lack of evidence, granted the liquidation order. He also noted that Ntinos attached some 220 pages of annexures in the liquidation matter, most of which were irrelevant to the case.
"Attorney Chris Nel, who represents two other companies drawn into the debacle, said Cosmo Fruit owes his clients in excess of R2-million.
"Nel’s clients opted for a criminal investigation, which they hoped would delve into allegations that Ntinos intentionally misrepresented facts and took advances for fruit that was never shipped.
“Sworn statements to this effect have been handed to police investigators,” Nel said.
These allegations did not stop Ntinos and his company C&F International, of which he is the sole director, taking a large stand bearing the Cosmo Fruit logo at last month's Fruit Logistica in Berlin, which according to the the Mail & Guardian cost more than R400 000.
Even though liquidated, Cosmo Fruit also has prime space in a government-backed trade directory, Fresh Food Trade SA 2017, which was distributed at Fruit Logisitca.
The booklet was privately published in association with the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The department said it does not carry any funding, although it does have “quality control” oversight.
Gerhard de Beer, of Malachite Media Services, told the Mail & Guardian the inclusion of inserts for the first time in this year’s booklet was costly.
“When Mr Ntinos heard about it after he booked the rear cover, he offered to take up all the advertising space on the inserts.”
He said his company was not privy to details of the liquidation of Cosmo Fruit, but added that “thankfully” Ntinos did pay for his space in the booklet.