R52-million fraud accused gets bail
Prison unsuitable for her, she says
The suspended MTN financial accountant who was granted a R200 000 bail yesterday on charges of fraud totalling about R52-million, still faces the possibility of her assets being frozen.
This would happen if the telecoms company decides to pursue a civil case.
Drama unfolded in the corridors of the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Court after Brenden Ruth Moshabane’s bail judgment was handed down as relatives of the accused blocked journalists from taking pictures of her.
At one stage a male relative manhandled a female journalist and pinned her against the door of the lift, threatening to confiscate her camera, while the accused’s other family members threatened that they would “deal’’ with journalists covering the case.
Earlier, magistrate Jerry van Vuuren had granted Moshabane, 42, bail on the basis that she was not a flight risk as she “has close family ties and valuable assets in the country”.
Prosecutor Bongani Chauke indicated that the quantity of Moshabane’s properties could not be ascertained as she had been ambiguous. He accused her of being a syndicate leader.
Van Vuuren granted bail on condition that the state retained her passport and that she must report to Boksburg police twice a week.
Defence counsel Piet du Plessis said there was still a chance that the state or MTN could apply to have her assets frozen.
Moshabane faces charges of theft and fraud after it was allegedly discovered that she stole an estimated R24-million from MTN bank accounts between 2011 and this year.
The state has indicated that the stolen amount could rise as high as R52-million.
As part of her duties at MTN, Moshabane was responsible for making payments to the company’s creditors and vendors. She is accused of creating fictitious vendors and making 16 payments into her personal account.
Moshabane had been with MTN since 2003, and was earning R22 000 a month at the time of her arrest.
The state said Moshabane built herself an empire through gains from the fraud. She owns five properties, seven vehicles, and has shares and holds directorships in several companies, the state said.
A male relative manhandled and pinned a female journalist by her torso
In her bail application affidavit, read out by Du Plessis, she swore she would not evade trial as she was married with two children and had assets.
She said prison conditions were not suitable for her as she was often deprived of medication and proper nutrition to control her anemia.