A couple accused of defrauding established wine company Douglas Green of about R10 million and then spending some of the proceeds on home renovations and school fees is expected to go on trial next week.

Jacobus du Toit Terblanche and his wife Cornelia le Roux Terblanche, who both used to work for Douglas Green Bellingham (Pty) Limited (DGB), are expected to plead and go on trial in the Commercial Crimes Court in Bellville on Monday.

Collectively they face 54 counts.

According to court papers, DGB produced, distributed and imported wine and spirits in South Africa.

It also sold locally produced wine and acted as an agent for other wine estates.

The court papers said about 35 percent of DGB’s business dealt with the export of wine and “exports are directed at approximately 50 countries worldwide”.

It said Du Toit Terblanche had been a director of DGB’s board and in charge of international export operations, while his wife was an accounts executive in DGB’s export division.

She was also the only member of Taster Wines cc and Fine Cape Wine Exporters cc – the principal business of which was the export or import of wines.