Fraud-accused aviation boss Jonathan Wolpe's case adjourned to 2025

JOHANNESBURG - Jonathan Wolpe, the once high-flying CEO of a Joburg-based private aviation company, is in for a bumpy landing in the coming months. 

Wolpe has been charged with fraud and theft after he defrauded a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based company out of millions of rands. 

And despite being granted bail of R20,000 in the Joburg Specialised Commercial Crimes court on Wednesday morning, Wolpe won’t be allowed to travel out of the country until his case is concluded. 

READ: SA pilots held hostage in Kinshasa after aviation CEO dupes DRC government

According to the charge sheet in December 2023, Wolpe entered into a contract with a DRC-based company, ZAS Aviation Transport and Logistics, to provide helicopters to fly delegates around the country during their presidential elections. 

Wolpe quoted ZAS Aviation more than R11 million for the hire of two Airbus H125 helicopters, but after receiving payment, he failed to comply with the contract.

Wolpe provided one helicopter, which was the incorrect type and model, and failed to provide a second machine. 

His actions resulted in two South African (SA) pilots being held against their will in the DRC for weeks, as ZAS Aviation tried to get back the money Wolpe owed to them, which essentially belonged to the DRC government. 

Wolpe has been charged with fraud and theft of more than R5 million after he continuously sent fake proof of payments to the client for the money he owed. 

He was granted bail of R20,000 and cannot leave the country until his case is finalised.

The case was adjourned to 2025.