Northern Cape, South Africa – The Hawks have successfully arrested three individuals in connection with serious charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Schalk Pienaar, his wife Leolene Pienaar, and Patricia Booysen are facing a total of 39 counts of corruption, 48 counts of fraud, and 78 counts of money laundering.
The arrests took place at various locations, and the suspects made a brief appearance before the Prieska Magistrate’s Court, where they were granted bail. The allegations stem from activities between April 2020 and October 2020, during which the trio allegedly defrauded GWK, a prominent company, of over R700,000.
Schalk Pienaar, employed as a supervisor at a fuel station, is accused of fraudulently registering his wife, Leolene, as a supplier to the company. Meanwhile, Patricia Booysen, working as an administrative clerk, allegedly submitted falsified invoices to facilitate the fraudulent activities.
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Team arrested the trio—Schalk Pienaar (37), Leolene Pienaar (34), and Patricia Booysen (34). All three were granted bail: Schalk and Leolene Pienaar were released on bail of R1,000 each, while Booysen’s bail was set at R300.
The case has been adjourned for further proceedings, with the next court session scheduled for February 12.
