Given Victor Mathebula, 31, Simnikiwe Ndinisa, 48, and Demala Ndou, 41, have appeared in court after a Limpopo-based construction company lost more than R12 million.
Image: File
The Limpopo provincial commercial crime unit has arrested three suspects - two men and a woman - for allegedly defrauding a construction company of over R12 million.
Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the trio was arrested on separate occasions. Two were nabbed on Saturday and one was apprehended on Monday.
“It is alleged that in July 2023, while employed at Hillary Company in the Westenburg policing area, the trio generated fraudulent invoices to order equipment, diverting a total of twelve million five hundred thousand rand for personal gain. The fraud was later discovered and reported to the Westenburg police station by the company,” said Ledwaba.
“Following a thorough investigation, the first suspect, Given Victor Mathebula, 31, was arrested in Tzaneen. The second suspect, a 48-year-old woman, Simnikiwe Ndinisa, was arrested in Seshego, while Demala Ndou, 41, voluntarily surrendered to the police.”
The accused suspects appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they were each granted bail of R50,000.
The case against the trio has been postponed to April 9 for further police investigations.
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Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the investigating team for their commitment which led to the arrests.
“Corruption will not be tolerated. Those who dare challenge the authority of the State will be dealt with accordingly,” said Hadebe.
Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe.
Image: SAPS
Last month, IOL reported that Teboho Boiki Nhlapo, 39, appeared before the Tembisa Magistrate's Court on charges of fraud after he was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks.
“It is alleged that between January 2019 and August 2023 the accused Nhlapo who was employed as a credit controller at Grascor Access Solutions created fictitious invoices and would then transfer money into bank accounts belonging to his friends and family as well as his own personal bank accounts,” said Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks.
As a result of Nhlapo’s actions, the Hawks said the company suffered an actual loss of just over R3 million.
Nhlapo has been charged with theft and fraud.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL
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