Mathura acquitted of fraud charges
MARCH 6, 2018 will be remembered as a day of victory for the Mathura family.
Well-known radio and television personality, Vikash Mathura was found not guilty on 14 counts of fraud and theft brought against him by his former employer, Ellerine Holdings Limited.
Mathura, 44, of Sandton, Johannesburg, worked at Ellerine Holdings from October 2009 until his dismissal in July 2012.
He was accused of billing Ellerines Holdings for an amount of R887 467.20 via his personal company, Shasim Entertainment Enterprises cc (SEE). Mathura declared to Ellerines Holdings that he was a freelance radio announcer and offered voiceover services to the company.
The case was heard in the Commercial Crimes Court in Eloff Street, Johannesburg on Tuesday. Mathura was initially employed as the deputy managing executive of the Beares and Lubners business unit, and was promoted to group marketing executive after seven months.
“The evidence in court confirmed my belief that my line manager crafted the false accusations and fabricated charges,” claimed Mathura.
He has an MBA with fellowship honours from Rhodes University, and is a chartered marketer, who was also invited to sit on the Africa Advisory Board by the Chief Marketing Officers Worldwide Council.
“Financially, the legal bills crippled us,” he said. After the news of his case broke in the media in 2014, Mathura left Lotus FM, and stopped his comedy shows to stay off the public radar.