Charles Sydney Hendry Hartman (63) and Eulene Hartman (61), the directors of Hartman Industrial Equipment (PTY) Ltd in Bethal, appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, May 17 May on a charge of fraud.
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Secunda investigated the case and the directors were summoned on May 6 to court.
Capt Dineo Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Hawks, said in a press statement allegations were reported anonymously to Sasol via the Sasol Ethics Line that Hartman Industrial Equipment (PTY) Ltd allegedly supplied Sasol (PTY) Ltd with less expensive actuators sourced from Omal Automation (PTY) Ltd instead of actuators sourced from Festo (PTY) Ltd as requested by Sasol, charging the same price.
Based on the outcome of an audit conducted by Sasol, it was discovered that the Hartmans has been supplying the actuators to Sasol from 2011 to 2017.
“They had supplied 182 in the period mentioned and 88 of them were Omal actuators instead of Festo actuators,” said Capt Sekgotodi.
Capt Sekgotodi said the Hartmans have already paid back Sasol.
The case was postponed to June 8.
