Trio who allegedly defrauded GWK granted bail

Three accused persons who allegedly defrauded GWK agricultural company of R705 005, 50, will reappear in the Prieska magistrate’s court on February 12 2025, after being released on bail this week.

The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team arrested Schalk Pienaar, 37, Leolene Pienaar, 34 and Patricia Booysen 34 at different locations on December 17.

Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the accused were facing 39 counts of corruption, 48 counts of fraud and 78 counts of money laundering.

“They made a brief court appearance before the Prieska magistrates court on December 18.

“Bail of R1 000 each was granted for Mr and Mrs Piernaar while Booysen was released on bail of R300.”

He indicated that the incidents occurred between April and October 2020 where the main accused - Schalk Pienaar was employed as a supervisor at a fuel station.

“He allegedly fraudulently registered his wife as a supplier at GWK fuel station. The registration was done without declaring the relationship he shared with her, as required by GWK policy. Schalk Pienaar colluded with his colleague administration clerk, Patricia Booysen to submit falsified invoices in his wife’s favour.

“Subsequent to payments that were transferred into his wife’s account, some funds were deposited into Booysen’s bank account.”

Thebe added that Schalk Pienaar tendered his resignation before the matter could be handed over for investigation while Booysen’‘s employment had since been terminated.