Dutch National Appears In Court After R240 000 Khat Bust At OR Tambo
A Dutch national arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after police allegedly found more than 40kg of khat in his luggage has made his first appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.
Arthur Peter Krishna Van Oosterhout was arrested over the weekend during an intelligence-driven SAPS operation. Police said the drugs had an estimated street value of R240 000 and that the suspect was allegedly travelling to Frankfurt, Germany.
During his brief court appearance on Monday, Van Oosterhout appeared without legal representation.
The magistrate informed him that he could apply for a Legal Aid attorney if he did not have a lawyer. However, he declined, telling the court that a friend had promised to arrange an attorney identified as “Mr Latiff”.
Van Oosterhout said he had only been given the attorney’s cellphone number and needed an opportunity to contact him.
The court also raised the issue of media coverage, asking whether he would allow MDNtv to take pictures and videos since he had no attorney present. He declined.
The matter was postponed to 5 June 2026 to allow him to secure legal representation and for the court to reconsider media reporting once his attorney is present.
Van Oosterhout will remain behind bars until his next court appearance.
