R1.7m office heist: How Gqeberha duo siphoned off company cash

Two office administrators at a Gqeberha wholesaler were convicted on Wednesday of fraud and money laundering after a scheme that cost their employer more than R1.7m.

Who was convicted and where

The Gqeberha Regional Court convicted Megan Brooks, 42, and Leroy Bezuidenhout, 36, on Wednesday of fraud and money laundering. The Eastern Cape Hawks head, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, welcomed the convictions.

How the scheme worked

Brooks and Rochanda Leander, 41, worked as office administrators at Keens Wholesalers in Korsten. Their duties included telesales, processing supplier invoices for payment, and preparing deposit slips and cash that was handed to Fidelity guards for bank delivery.

According to the Hawks, deposit slips were drawn up to look like ordinary payments from Keens to a supplier, Health Shield. The cash went into an account opened in Health Shield’s name, and the proceeds were split among those involved.

Scope and timing

The transactions took place from September 2017 to February 2018 and cost Keens Wholesalers more than R1.7m. Leander was sentenced in 2020.

Investigation and next steps

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana confirmed the convictions. Major General Ngwenya said the outcome shows the Hawks’ commitment to probing sophisticated commercial crime and holding accountable those who abuse business processes for personal financial gain.

“The conviction demonstrates the Hawks’ commitment to investigating sophisticated commercial crimes and ensuring that persons who abuse legitimate business processes for personal financial gain are brought before the courts,” Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya said.

Brooks and Bezuidenhout were arrested, released on bail and appeared in court repeatedly before their conviction. They are due back in court on October 13 for sentencing.

Quick facts

• Defendants convicted: Megan Brooks (42), Leroy Bezuidenhout (36)
• Victim employer: Keens Wholesalers, Korsten
• Amount lost: More than R1.7m
• Period of theft: September 2017–February 2018
• Next court date: October 13 (sentencing)