Six people have been charged with fraud and corruption amounting to R19.7 million. They appeared at the Durban Specialised Crime Court on Thursday (August 21)File picture: SAPS (Twitter)
The combined efforts of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) led to the arrests of six people involved in fraud and corruption involving R19.7 million.
Pragasen (Pettie) Naidoo owner of Yah-Wear Promotions CC, his wife Sharon Fiona Naidoo, Qinisile Roof owner of Hardware CC, Naidoo’s sister Debi George, Kirsty McEwan, Rakesh Maharaj and his wife Ashni Sookhari who are facing several charges of fraud and/or corruption (giving and receiving a benefit), and/or money laundering, and/or contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday (September 21).
NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Consulens (Pty) Ltd, the complainant in this matter, is a private company providing specialised services to the Department of Health, specifically, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. The company provides a range of services including procurement, supply and replacement of medical equipment, and medical consumables, she said.
“Between May 2015 to December 2017, Yah-Wear Promotions was a service provider to Consulens. George, McEwan, and Maharaj were employed by Consulens as a logistics manager, procurement training specialist and logistics officer, respectively. It is alleged that during this time George, McEwan and Maharaj orchestrated the demand/need for medical equipment to be supplied to Consulens; and Naidoo and his company, in common purpose with them, defrauded Consulens by inflating their invoices by more than R19.7 million,” said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
The accused were arrested by the DPCI, and when they appeared in court, Mr Naidoo and his wife were granted bail of R30 000, with conditions that they do not apply for travel documents, and they must report at the Brackenfell police station in Cape Town once a week. Bail for Ms George, Mr Maharaj and his wife was set at R8 000 each, while bail for Ms McEwan was fixed at R10 000 with bail conditions that she must not apply for travel documents; and she must report to Scottburgh police station once a week, said Ms Ramkisson-Kara.
The matter was postponed to Friday November 17, for the State to provide copies of all the evidence.