Three Durban shipping company employees have been convicted on multiple counts of fraud.
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Three Durban shipping company employees have been convicted on multiple counts of fraud after colluding with suppliers, submitting fictitious invoices, capturing it and then authorising payment.
On Wednesday, in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, Zameer Ramjhan, 42, was convicted on 32 counts; Anesh Rampersadh, 46, on 11 counts; and Suren Ganas, 58, on three counts.
It is alleged that between March 2010 and December 2012 Benny Naidoo, 58, Ramjhan, Method Mkhize, 62, and Rampersadh, who were employees of Voight Shipping, colluded with suppliers Suren Ganas, 58, and Wayed Mia, 54, by submitting fictitious invoices, capturing it and authorising payment.
The intention was to defraud Voight Shipping, resulting in a financial loss of R2 951 800.
The company became suspicious and initiated an internal investigation, which revealed fraudulent activity. The incident was reported to the police, who referred the case to the Hawks for further investigation. After a thorough investigation, the accused were arrested and charged with fraud.
The accused appeared in court several times until Wednesday, where Ramjhan, Rampersadh and Ganas were convicted for fraud.
The matter was remanded to May 20 for sentencing.
In 2019, Naidoo, Mkhize and Mia pleaded guilty and were sentenced accordingly.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, welcomed the conviction and praised the members for the good work.
“The successful conviction of these individuals demonstrates our commitment to eradicating fraud and corruption in our country,” he said.