Two senior employees in court over alleged R1.6 million payroll fraud

Two former high-ranking employees of a Klerksdorp-based firm have faced the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court, accused of employing the banking information of former staff to siphon over R1.6 million into their own accounts. Jeanette Sylvia Cronje, aged 33, and Alicia Van Der Walt, 36, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with fraud.

They were apprehended by the Hawks' Klerksdorp-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit the same day, following an investigation into fraudulent activities that took place between 2022 and 2024 while they were employed by Klerksdorp Business Consultants and Brokers. The Hawks' spokesperson, Warrant Officer Nkosinathi Ndlovu, revealed that Cronje, who held the position of head of payroll, and Van Der Walt, who was head of administration, allegedly exploited the banking details of staff who had left the company to make payments into their personal accounts.

This fraudulent scheme led to the company incurring losses surpassing R1.6 million, prompting the Hawks to become involved after the matter was reported. Both women were granted R5,000 bail following their initial court appearance, and the case has been rescheduled for a hearing on November 17, 2026, at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Klerksdorp.