18 in Free State Charged with 286 Counts of Fraud, Money Laundering

Nine people and nine companies have appeared in the Bloemfontein Regional Court in connection with 286 charges that include fraud, money laundering, and corruption by both a public officer and private persons. The money stolen amounted to over R7 million, which the suspects allegedly divided among themselves.

The National Prosecuting Authority today named the accused as Bassie Andrews (51) and Constance Leeuw (52), both employees of the Free State Department of Health, appeared with Martins Motau (60), Vusi Masilela (62), Susanna Rossouw (37), Lesego Boom (46), Victoria Motloung (46), Semakaleng Sekhalo (57) and Patrick Leeuw (50), who were the directors of the charged companies.

The names of the companies allegedly involved in the activities were Hlompang Sourcing and Trading, Siyaya Plumbing CC, Elegant Line Trading 304, Panzacode Electrical, Bill Office Solutions, Maalu Trading CC, Active Women Construction and Brilliant Business Affairs CC.

It is alleged by the NPA that between 2013 and 2015, the Department of Health processed various transactions in connection with claims submitted by the accused directors on behalf of the accused companies for services rendered.

It is further alleged that Andrews and Leeuw, in collaboration with the charged directors, allegedly forged invoice numbers that were previously generated for services already rendered and paid for by the department. The Department of Health made payments in respect of these forged invoices after they were generated and captured.

The accused companies were allegedly paid over R7 million that was not due to them. The money would be paid into the accounts of the companies and the directors would withdraw the money and share it among themselves. Part of the money was allegedly transferred into the accounts of Andrews and Leeuw.

The matter was postponed to 21 October.