Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
An American flag flies near Congress in Washington, DC, the US. Picture: EPA/SHAWN THEW
Johnathan Schultz, the man wanted in SA for the theft and sale of unwrought metals, is living in the US, rubbing shoulders with celebrities including Shania Twain, Gordon Ramsay and Rod Stewart.
This is as SA authorities seek to extradite him.
A warrant of arrest for Schultz was issued in 2022. He has been living in the US with his wife and three children since 2019. He is running an art gallery in Las Vegas and Miami, named after him.
In November 2021, two years after he left SA, the Kempton Park magistrate’s court issued a warrant of arrest for several people, including Schultz.
The SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) allege that Schultz and his associates are guilty of serious crimes which include the contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the contravention of sections of the Precious Metals Act, theft and fraud.
The SA police believe Schultz was an “active member of one of the companies’’ allegedly involved in stealing and selling unwrought metals.
It is illegal in SA to be in possession of unwrought precious metal ore, platinum group metals, gold-bearing material or rough diamonds without the required statutory authorisation.
When Schultz’s co-accused appeared in court in May 2022, the NPA sought a postponement to allow time for it to request Schultz’s extradition from the US.
Schultz legally challenged the NPA, arguing that only the minister of justice could seek extradition. The high court dismissed Schultz’ argument. The court said the authority to seek an extradition vested in the NPA.
Schultz appealed against this decision and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upheld his appeal, saying the minister had to be involved in seeking an extradition.
An internet search on Schultz’s US gallery shows that last November he presented a bespoke artwork to Stewart at an event held in Las Vegas organised by Haute Living, a luxury lifestyle magazine based in Miami, Florida.
In February his art gallery presented an artwork to Ramsey that featured detail made out of 23-carat gold mixed with rose gold.
In May he gave Twain his Grass is Greener with Flowers artwork. He has also presented his artwork to actor Rob Lowe in an event attended by, among others, will.i.am, real name William Adams, from the Black Eyed Peas.
“The SCA provided further guidance on the distinction of functions performed by the NPA and the minister. In this regard, the NPA, as the prosecuting authority, is empowered to determine who is to be prosecuted and for what charge,”ENSafrica said in a note after the SCA’s judgment.
“The minister plays no role in the exercise of these duties. However, if the accused individual is residing in a foreign state, the NPA will be required to seek assistance from the minister, as executive authority, to decide whether and when to make an extradition request to the foreign state in a manner which does not undermine the NPA’s prosecutorial independence,” it said.
Schultz could not be reached for comment. The CFO of his art gallery declined to comment.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
SA fugitive living high life in the US
Johnathan Schultz, the man wanted in SA for the theft and sale of unwrought metals, is living in the US, rubbing shoulders with celebrities including Shania Twain, Gordon Ramsay and Rod Stewart.
This is as SA authorities seek to extradite him.
A warrant of arrest for Schultz was issued in 2022. He has been living in the US with his wife and three children since 2019. He is running an art gallery in Las Vegas and Miami, named after him.
In November 2021, two years after he left SA, the Kempton Park magistrate’s court issued a warrant of arrest for several people, including Schultz.
The SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) allege that Schultz and his associates are guilty of serious crimes which include the contravention of sections of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the contravention of sections of the Precious Metals Act, theft and fraud.
The SA police believe Schultz was an “active member of one of the companies’’ allegedly involved in stealing and selling unwrought metals.
It is illegal in SA to be in possession of unwrought precious metal ore, platinum group metals, gold-bearing material or rough diamonds without the required statutory authorisation.
When Schultz’s co-accused appeared in court in May 2022, the NPA sought a postponement to allow time for it to request Schultz’s extradition from the US.
Schultz legally challenged the NPA, arguing that only the minister of justice could seek extradition. The high court dismissed Schultz’ argument. The court said the authority to seek an extradition vested in the NPA.
Schultz appealed against this decision and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) upheld his appeal, saying the minister had to be involved in seeking an extradition.
An internet search on Schultz’s US gallery shows that last November he presented a bespoke artwork to Stewart at an event held in Las Vegas organised by Haute Living, a luxury lifestyle magazine based in Miami, Florida.
In February his art gallery presented an artwork to Ramsey that featured detail made out of 23-carat gold mixed with rose gold.
In May he gave Twain his Grass is Greener with Flowers artwork. He has also presented his artwork to actor Rob Lowe in an event attended by, among others, will.i.am, real name William Adams, from the Black Eyed Peas.
“The SCA provided further guidance on the distinction of functions performed by the NPA and the minister. In this regard, the NPA, as the prosecuting authority, is empowered to determine who is to be prosecuted and for what charge,” ENSafrica said in a note after the SCA’s judgment.
“The minister plays no role in the exercise of these duties. However, if the accused individual is residing in a foreign state, the NPA will be required to seek assistance from the minister, as executive authority, to decide whether and when to make an extradition request to the foreign state in a manner which does not undermine the NPA’s prosecutorial independence,” it said.
Schultz could not be reached for comment. The CFO of his art gallery declined to comment.
khumalok@businesslive.co.za
Court hands down landmark judgment on asylum seekers
NPA avoids R2m damages claim for ‘malicious prosecution’
Gayton McKenzie must assist in Karoo corruption probe, says court
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
NPA blunders let four off murder conviction
Cape Town is the worst port on global list of World Bank
NPA avoids R2m damages claim for ‘malicious prosecution’
Court hands down landmark judgment on asylum seekers
Gayton McKenzie must assist in Karoo corruption probe, says court
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.