The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested three former employees of Global Strike Security Company, including its ex-director Wanda van Zyl (57), for their alleged roles in defrauding Anglo American Platinum out of R6.3 million.
Van Zyl, along with two former payroll administrators — Monique Nel (52) and Ruan van Zyl (23) — handed themselves over to the police on Sunday and subsequently appeared in the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, stated that the trio is accused of submitting more than 33 fraudulent invoices to Anglo American Platinum between 20 December 2018 and 20 September 2021. The payments were processed for security services that were never provided.
“Anglo American Platinum became suspicious and launched an internal forensic audit, which uncovered the R6.3 million fraud,” said Mmuroa. “The case was reported at the Mahwelereng Police Station and handed over to the Hawks in Polokwane for thorough investigation.”
The investigation revealed that four individuals from the security company were involved in the fraud, although one of the implicated persons has since died.
Following the investigation, the case was presented to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which authorized the issuance of warrants for the arrests.
The accused are facing 26 counts of fraud and are expected to apply for bail today. The case continues in the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court.
