By Staff Reporter
POLOKWANE – The Polokwane-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit has arrested three individuals in connection with a fraud case involving R6.3 million allegedly siphoned from Anglo-American Platinum.
The suspects, a former company director and two payroll administrators, were apprehended on 19 May 2025.
The accused are Monidue Nel (52), a former payroll administrator; Mr Wanda van Zyl (57), a former company director; and Ms Ruan van Zyl (23), also a former payroll administrator.
They are believed to have conspired in submitting fraudulent invoices for security services never rendered by Global Strike Security Company, their former employer.
The alleged fraudulent activities reportedly occurred between 20 December 2018 and 20 September 2021.
During this period, over 33 fake invoices were submitted to Anglo-American Platinum. The company unknowingly processed payments, resulting in a financial loss exceeding R6.3 million.
Internal forensic investigations conducted by Anglo-American Platinum raised red flags, prompting the company to report the matter to Mahwelereng police station.
The case was later transferred to the Hawks in Polokwane, where further investigations successfully linked four Global Strike Security Company personnel to the scheme. One of the implicated individuals has since passed away.
After gathering sufficient evidence, the National Prosecuting Authority authorized warrants for the arrest of the suspects. The trio cooperated and voluntarily handed themselves over to the Hawks.
They appeared briefly in the Mahwelereng Magistrate’s Court on 19 and 20 May 2025, facing 26 counts of fraud. Each of them was granted bail of R30,000. The matter has been postponed to 13 June 2025 for further investigation.
The Hawks have reaffirmed their commitment to rooting out corruption and fraud, especially within sectors where public trust and corporate responsibility are critical.
