A Bloemfontein government clerk and a car dealership owner have been arrested for illegally releasing 18 government cars for auction.
The two are senior financial clerk at the government garage in Bloemfontein, Jeanne Kellerman, and MNS Cars director Mohammed Cajee.
Fraudulent transaction
They were arrested and charged for releasing 18 government vehicles valued at R1,1-million for just R150,000.
The two suspects appeared at the Bloemfontein magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
They face charges of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
Cajee allegedly received the vehicles without paying off the outstanding amount, as per the terms of departmental policies.
R150k deposit, R10k bribe sealed the deal
The vehicles were priced at R1,163 758, but Cajee paid only R150,000 deposit to government for the cars.
It was discovered that Cajee allegedly paid a R10,000 bribe to Kellerman to illegally release the vehicles from the state’s garage.
The vehicles were supposed to be released to Cajee only after he paid the full R1,1-million value of the cars.
Kellerman allegedly played a trick on the security guard at the garage to have the vehicles released.
It is not clear what Cajee did with the cars.
Investigation
Directorate for priority Crime Investigating unit, spokesperson Christopher Singo, confirmed the arrests.
“The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Bloemfontein.
“Further investigation uncovered that the 51-year-old suspect allegedly received R10,000 gratification from his accomplice.
Arrests and bail
“A sterling Hawks investigation saw warrants of arrest being issued by the court.
“On Tuesday, 14 November 2023, the duo handed themselves over to the Hawks’ investigating officer.
“They were duly charged.”
Kellerman was released on R3,000 bail, while Cajee was released on R10,000 bail.
