“During this process the alleged fraud was discovered and further investigation revealed that the accused presented the same qualification as her previous job as a security officer.”
Major General Mathiba Makgato, Chief of Hawkes County in the Western Cape, commended the team for their thorough investigation leading up to the verdict, saying: “I hope this conviction serves as a warning to others who would attempt similar offences.”
Meanwhile, Hawkes’ Serious Organized Crime Squad in Pretoria on Thursday arrested four suspects aged 29, 33, 37 and 44 for theft and possession of stolen auto parts worth an estimated R1.1 million.
Hawks received information from Ford Motor Vehicle of South Africa (FMCSA) about the possible theft of the engines. Following up on the information, it was established that the theft took place in the FMCSA building. A truck from a courier company was used to load the racks with about 36 engines.
“After the truck was loaded, it exited the premises without following proper procedures and later proceeded to be unloaded on Charles Leyds Street in Eersterus as instructed to the driver by the forklift instructor. The racks and forklift are found at the delivery address without the motors. Two elderly people who were found in the building explained that they did not know about the shipment.”
Four suspects – two FMCSA security personnel, a mechanic repair shop owner and the truck driver – have been arrested for possession of suspected stolen property. They will appear in Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday.
TimesLIVE