Accused denies part in R16m cargo fraud

A TRANSPORT operations manager had allegedly defrauded his employer of R16 million, the Durban High Court has heard.

The court granted the provisional sequestration order which MS Cargo International had sought against its suspended employee, Sunil Baldeo, and his wife, Jessica Amar.

Baldeo denied his involvement in any fraudulent and corrupt transactions. Mark van der Noordaa, the managing director of MS Cargo, said in court papers that his Durban office had conducted investigations and had suspended Baldeo in May.

“Investigations showed Baldeo’s fraudulent transactions cost my company R16 million.”

He claimed three companies had benefited. “TransAfrica received R6 862 009, YPS Freight was paid R5 018 932 and Sastri Freight received R4 325 451.”

Baldeo was suspended after he was confronted, Van der Noordaa said.

“After YPS and TransAfrica were confronted they repaid 95% of the money that was paid to them. Sastri has yet to repay any money.

“Baldeo’s promise to my company that he will repay the money he stole is empty… He has not paid anything back.”

Baldeo questioned why MS Cargo had not sought an order to preserve his R1 million home in Athlone Park, eManzimtoti, and furniture which he and his wife had owned for several years.

“Instead MS Cargo wants to sequestrate us. We do not own substantial assets. Our property is not freehold. My net salary at SM Cargo was R18 000 a month and my gross salary was R25 000 a month,” he said.

“I did not collude with TransAfrica, YPS Freight and Sastri Freight to defraud MS Cargo.”