PRETORIA – A 48-year-old sole proprietor and her company are appearing in the Specialised Commercial Crimes court sitting at Mthatha Regional Court following her arrest earlier on Thursday by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for alleged fraud worth over R4.8 million perceived loss to the OR Tambo District Municipality.
Her arrest follows a three months intensive prosecution led the investigation into COVID-19 awareness services. It is alleged that the company and its sole director intentionally submitted fraudulent documents to various municipalities purporting that she conducted door to door awareness campaigns for the prevention and containment of covid-19 pandemic to the rural communities of Port St Johns Local, King Sabatha Dalindyebo, and Mhlonto local municipalities.
The Director then invoiced the three municipalities to the tune of over R4.8 million for services that were partially rendered with fraudulent supporting documents.