'Granny' latest arrest in alleged R1.3 million mining rights scam

A 72-YEAR-old woman has become the latest accused in a R1.3 million fraud case involving the alleged sale of invalid mining rights in the Northern Cape.

Rossyln Crossingham appeared briefly in the Douglas Magistrate’s Court this week, where she was charged with fraud, with theft listed as an alternative charge.

She was arrested on July 9 by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.

According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, the case relates to the fraudulent sale of a company and its mining rights more than a decade ago.

“It is alleged that during 2012, the accused was a co-director of a company named Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd with two other directors. Crossingham allegedly withdrew an application for renewal of prospecting mining rights, which was in the process at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). Later, in 2015, Crossingham, together with her co-directors, resolved to sell the company and the withdrawn prospecting mining right to a known businessman in the Northern Cape for an amount of R100,000,” said Mnisi. 

“After the conclusion of the sale agreement, but before the businessman could make payment, she sold the company to the complainant and withheld the letter withdrawing the prospecting mining right, thereby misleading the complainant as though the prospecting mining right was valid and in good standing. Consequently, the complainant accepted the offer and paid an amount of R1,368,000. 

“After the complainant paid the money to the seller of the rights, an amount of R100,000 was then paid to a personal account belonging to one of the directors of Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd.”

Mnisi said that the series of fraudulent transactions ultimately cost the complainant over R1.3 million.

Crossingham was granted R15,000 bail. The case has been postponed to August 5 for further investigation.

Mnisi confirmed that more arrests are expected.