The SANDF colonel, the queen and the million dollar pension payouts

A RETIRED SANDF colonel has appeared in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court, along with another person, for allegedly fraudulently representing to retired members that the Queen of England and the British Army had made millions of dollars available as a pension payout.

According to police it is alleged that at least 40 000 retired members responded to the 62-year-old and his accomplice, 63, and as part of the application, they paid a R40 administration fee.

The two suspects were arrested on Tuesday.

“Based on the envisaged pension payouts, the ‘Colonel’ managed to further obtain loans, in excess of R2 million, with the promise to repay the loan when the funds are cleared in South Africa,” police spokesperson FC van Wyk said.

“The execution of search and seizure operations ... and further investigations, led to the arrest of the two suspects.

“Victims of this fraudulent scheme are warned not to respond to him and or his agent requests for payments and are kindly requested to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Andre Pekeur at 083 270 9034 with information.”

The National Prosecuting Authority in the Western Cape and the SANDF did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

The SA National Defence Union (Sandu), meanwhile, said the matter was not brought to its attention but it condemned all criminal activities and exploitation.

Union spokesperson Hanli Meyer said they hoped for swift justice.

“The union condemns all criminal activity and exploitation.

“The union will warn its members close to retirement to not engage in any retirement/service benefit schemes offered to them unless they first take it up with our legal division.

“The law must take its course,” Meyer said.