Car licensing supervisor in court for alleged fraud

From July 2019 to March 2020 the woman, whose duty it was to receive and deposit money received for vehicle licensing to the department of transport’s bank account, failed to do so.

CAPE TOWN, June 7 (ANA) – An Eastern Cape municipal car licensing supervisor is expected to appear in the Mount Frere magistrate’s court on charges of fraud and alternatively theft.

The 45-year-old woman from Umzimvubu municipality was arrested on Friday by the Mthatha serious commercial crime investigation team, provincial spokewoman for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said in a statement late on Sunday.

From July 2019 to March 2020 the woman, whose duty it was to receive and deposit money received for vehicle licensing to the department of transport’s bank account, failed to do so. Instead, she allegedly diverted the money towards her personal use.

“It is reported that the conduct of the suspect prejudiced Umzimvubu municipality cash to the value of more than R122,000 (US$9,040),” Mgolodela said.

The discrepancies were discovered were the woman took annual leave and was substituted by another employee

The transport department raised concerns about a decline in revenue during the relevant period and lodged a complaint with the Hawks.

In a separate incident, 37-year-old Morne Pretorius was sentenced to 12 years direct imprisonment by the Gqeberha specialised commercial crime court on Friday.

The manager of Supply 5, a company supplying wood boards, was convicted of stealing stock from the company and selling it in his personal capacity via his private company between March 2017 and October 2018.

Pretorius was convicted of misappropriating cash to the tune of more than R1.4 million (US$103,741).

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa