R1.7m office heist: How Gqeberha duo siphoned off company cash

Two office administrators at a Gqeberha wholesaler have been found guilty of stealing over R1.7 million from their employer by diverting supplier payments into a bank account they had opened under the supplier's name. Megan Brooks, 42, and Leroy Bezuidenhout, 36, were convicted of fraud and money laundering by the Gqeberha Regional Court on Wednesday.

Eastern Cape Hawks head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya praised the convictions, stating that it showcased the Hawks' commitment to investigating complex commercial crimes and holding accountable those who exploit legitimate business procedures for personal financial gain.

Brooks and her accomplice, Rochanda Leander, 41, had been working as office administrators at Keens Wholesalers in Korsten, managing telesales, processing supplier invoices for payment, and preparing deposit slips and cash sent to suppliers. Keens Wholesalers often paid their suppliers in cash, with the money and the related paperwork given to Fidelity guards who drove the deposits to the bank.

Deposit slips were fabricated to appear as ordinary payments from Keens to a supplier, Health Shield. However, the cash was directed into an account registered under Health Shield's name, and the proceeds were shared among the individuals involved. The scheme ran from September 2017 to February 2018, resulting in a loss of more than R1.7 million for the company.

Both Brooks and Bezuidenhout were arrested, released on bail, and appeared in court multiple times before receiving their conviction. They are set to return to court on October 13 for sentencing.