KEY POINTS
- Fraud charges over R6.3 million loss led to multiple arrests.
- Hawks say security firm billed for services never delivered.
- Court granted each accused bail of R30,000 ahead of trial.
Three Global Strike Security Company employees accused of defrauding Anglo American Platinum of R6.3 million have secured bail of R30,000 each.
Court grants bail in fraud charges over R6.3 million loss
The Hawks detained former director Wanda van Zyl, 57, and payroll administrators Monidue Nel, 52, and Ruan van Zyl, 23.
On May 19, they made a brief appearance at the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court to answer to 26 fraud charges pertaining to the purported plan.
According to Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, spokesman for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, “the accused were granted bail of R30,000 each.”
To enable additional police investigation and evidence collection, authorities decided to postpone the case to June 13, 2025.
According to the Hawks, the suspects filed false invoices for unrendered security services between December 2018 and September 2021.
According to Mmuroa, the three allegedly demanded payment from Anglo American Platinum for protection services that Global Strike protection never provided.
After growing suspicious of multiple invoice submissions over the course of three years, Anglo American Platinum initiated an internal forensic investigation.
The corporation had already processed and paid the security agency for more than 33 bogus claims, according to the internal review.
Mmuroa stated in a formal statement that Anglo American Platinum lost over R6.3 million
as a result.
More suspects linked to fraud charges over R6.3 million loss
After the business brought the issue to the attention of Mahwelereng police, the Hawks were tasked with conducting a thorough financial investigation.
According to Iol, four people were connected by investigators to the alleged plot; three are currently being held, while the fourth suspect is said to have passed away previously.
After reviewing the case, the National Prosecuting Authority issued arrest warrants for each of the four parties involved.
Mmuroa attested that the suspects voluntarily turned themselves in to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and did not fight arrest.
