SELF-PROCLAIMED billionaire Mandla Lamba risks immediate arrest should he get bail

Yesterday he appeared in the Orlando magistrate's court, where he was expected to apply for bail.

Lamba, 25, has been in custody since his arrest at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, Johannesburg, on May 10 on fraud and theft charges.

During his appearance two police officers from Roodepoort lay in wait at the door, ready to pounce in the event of his getting bail.

The officers, who had a warrant for his arrest, want him in connection with a 2007 culpable homicide case.

Lamba's bail application was postponed after his lawyer, Tina Kunene, asked for a postponement.

Wearing designer jeans, a floral white shirt, a brown belt and matching shoes, Lamba was escorted to the dock by three police officers.

He was not asked to plead and did not make any request to the court.

As he left the dock Lamba asked one of the police officers to loosen his leg irons. The officer obliged.

Lamba allegedly swindled taxi owners of thousands of rands with a promise of getting them new vehicles.

It is alleged he approached several taxi owners and promised to help them acquire new taxis if they deposited R40000 into his account.

After the money was deposited the victims never got their vehicles. Lamba disappeared and the owners opened cases of fraud and theft in 2008. He also absconded when the case was in its final stages.

Police said Lamba was involved in a freak car accident in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, in 2007. Wayne Greeff and his 8-year-old son Brandon were killed in the horrific crash.

He was charged with culpable homicide but absconded when the case was about to be finalised.

Lamba landed in the spotlight last year when he claimed he was a "mining billionaire".