The Hawks’ Germistonbased Serious Commercial Crime Unit arrested two siblings on August 6 after they handed themselves over to the authorities for fraud and theft.
The pair first appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on September 6 and again on September 7 when they were granted bail of R20 000 each.
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The case was remanded to October 19. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said it is alleged that between January 2017 and November 2020, Christina Smith (53) and Barbara van Zyl (54), a senior credit controller and credit controller at a food manufacturing and distribution company, fraudulently manipulated the banking details of suppliers and service providers to fit details of a bank account belonging to one of them.
“They reversed or diverted payments amounting to R100m over several years.
“The matter was reported to authorities, who opened a case,” said Mavimbela.
Provincial head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended the investigating officers for a meticulous investigation.
