Mother and son in court for R1m fraud

A 52-YEAR-OLD mother and her 33-year-old son are expected back in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court this week on fraud and theft charges.

According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, between 2016 and 2020 the mother, Petronella Stander, allegedly swindled her former employer of about R1 million. The money was meant to be paid to suppliers, but instead was allegedly diverted to her bank account.

“In April last year, the investigation team arrested and charged Stander with fraud and theft. The court later released her on R10 000 bail,” said Mulamu.

“A warrant of arrest was issued against Stander’s son, Orrin Stander. The Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation in Johannesburg arrested Orrin on Wednesday, May 4, accompanied by his attorney.”

During Orrin’s court appearance the following day, the court granted him R3 000 bail.

In another case, the Hawks in Gauteng said two more people, allegedly behind a scam that involved unauthorised debit order transactions where bank clients lost about R18m collectively, had appeared in court.

Ravenda Singh, 50, and his son Andrew, 26, directors of a Durbanbased call-centre, Sub User, were charged last week in Joburg.

“The duo handed themselves in at the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit in Johannesburg and were subsequently charged with fraud. On the same day, the pair appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and were each granted R30 000 bail,” said Mulamu.