SA court cuts bail for US pair

JOHANNESBURG -- At their 121st court appearance yesterday, bail was reduced to R7000 each for American couple Harold and Coralee Thomas who have been held since their arrest three years ago for a R3 billion bank fraud scam.

After four unsuccessful applications, they were granted bail under house arrest last month on humanitarian grounds because of ill health.

But by yesterday the bail remained unpaid.

The case, which has already cost the South African taxpayer a small fortune, could cost even more before finalisation.