‘War on Waste’ five make first court appearance
Rain was pouring outside the George Magistrate's Court last week Friday as Municipal Manager Trevor Botha, former George mayor Melvin Naik, Director of Community Services Walter Hendricks and two other officials, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha, made their first appearance in court on charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The five accused were recently served with court summonses by the Hawks Serious Commercial Investigation. The charges relate to Naik's mayoral project, War on Waste. They will make their second appearance on 10 December, which will provide George Council with enough time to consider a request by the accused for financial assistance from George Municipality. George Council will be furnished with available information on the case, including the defence of the accused, to make an informed decision on the matter. In all likelihood a future date for the court case will also be established on 10 December. Chances are good that the case will be heard in the Regional Court, which, according to an informed individual, is fully booked until the middle of 2021.
On an order from Magistrate Christiaan Daniels, the five accused have to surrender their passports and notify the court should they have any change in address. They were also instructed to make no contact with any of the state's witnesses, some of whom are employed by George Municipality.
Both Botha and Naik have proclaimed their innocence before, saying the [then] allegations hold no truth
Robertson and Botha last week indicated that they will not pass comment at this stage, on the advice of their lawyer. Trevor Botha and Walter Hendricks are represented by their attorney Nico Smit. The attorney Winston Jansen represents Melvin Naik, Wessel Robertson and Rowan Botha. Adv Xolile Jonas is representing the state.
Pensioners who normally withdraw their Sassa money through the South African Post Office (Sapo) seem to be latest targets of fraud in George. The matter was brought to the attention of George Herald by a local old-age home where four of their residents fell victim to the theft of their Sassa payments.
Under lockdown Levels 5 till 2, the elderly were not allowed to go outside or receive any visitors, which meant their Sassa money was not being withdrawn. According to a social worker at the home, many of the residents' families paid their rent and did their grocery shopping during this time, with the result that the Sassa money accumulated over months.
One such resident was defrauded out of almost R12 000.
George Herald contacted a few other old-age homes to compare. Some of these homes are used as pay points and at others, the residents' money is paid into the account of the home. This seems to indicate that only beneficiaries who receive money through the Post Office were affected. The social worker said in filing reports on behalf of the residents, it felt like she was given the runaround, because of the red tape.
Shivani Wahab, the communications director for Sassa Western Cape, said Sassa has recently been targeted by criminal syndicates and various attempts were made to rid its system of fraud.
"Its anti-fraud strategy has been continuously tested over the years by these criminals. Successful arrests have continuously been made..."
She could not give any definite figures of the beneficiaries in George or the Western Cape who were affected, or how much money was stolen.
They ask the public to report cases of corruption to the Anti-corruption hotline on 0800 43 43 73.
"We need to work together even more with the public to fight corruption," she said. Clients should immediately report suspected fraud to the nearest Sapo branch, where they will have to complete an affidavit. The Anti-fraud Unit will conduct an investigation and clients who are found to have been defrauded will be reimbursed.
SA Post Office
Sapo said several Sassa beneficiaries reported that money has been withdrawn from their accounts after PIN resets have been processed on their accounts. According to Sapo spokesperson Emma Tshatsinde, they suspected a new modus operandi "where monies seem to be transferred out of the Postbank account and withdrawn from a FNB account." She said fraud is regarded as a national priority by law enforcement agencies and reports will be investigated. "Clients and beneficiaries who suspect any wrongdoing, foul play or fraudulent activity are encouraged to call the toll-free line on 0800 53 54 55 or send an e-mail to fraud@ postbank.co.za."
The procedure is similar to that of Sassa.