Daughters accused of defrauding mom

AN EMOTIONAL mother wanted her two daughters to know that the charge of R1.7 million fraud she laid against them could have been avoided some time ago had they not ignored her calls.

“Their mother wanted them to know these are the consequences of their actions,” said senior prosecutor Kuveshni Pillay in court last week. “This could have been resolved.”

It is alleged sisters Anisa Sayed, 38, of Phoenix, and Zaahidah Khan, 31, from Westville, had transferred money, on various occasions, from their mother’s bank account into two separate accounts without the mother’s knowledge or consent. Both daughters were arrested on Wednesday.

It is further alleged this money was from their father’s retirement lump sum. Their father had been a senior manager at the Department of Health and had died on December 25 last year.

The sisters indicated they had already made travel plans to go on a religious pilgrimage next month, but when their mother was asked if she would agree to this, should they be released on bail, the mother said it would be unfair. “Their mother said the accused probably paid for the trip with her stolen money and it would not be right to go on pilgrimage while she suffered. Her extended family are now supporting her,” said Pillay.

Pillay told magistrate Mahomed Motala the State did not oppose bail. Sayed’s affidavit in support of bail indicated she would plead not guilty to the charge.

Before granting bail of R20000 each, the magistrate said it was an “unfortunate situation involving family money that spiralled out of control”.

The matter was adjourned until January 17.