Six women deny R3.2 million jewellery theft at Gateway store

The glamorous world of high-end jewellery in Durban has been cast under a shadow, as six women from Gateway face trial for allegedly stealing over R3.2 million worth of luxury items from Premjis Jewellers.

The case, which opened last week at the Durban Magistrate’s Court, has gripped the city part scandal, part mystery, and a deep dive into retail operations behind the glittering displays.

Alleged scheme spans five years

The State claims the theft took place over a prolonged period between February 2018 and June 2023. According to Vishnu Pather, the case came to light when sales representative Sashika Sewpersad noticed three high-end Michelle Herbelin watches missing in mid-2023.

Pather testified that the subsequent internal investigation uncovered “shocking manipulation of stock records.” Items of significant value were allegedly relabelled as low-value pieces, and missing items were removed entirely from inventory sheets.

“The length and sophistication of the alleged scheme is disturbing,” Pather told the court. “It shows a level of planning that goes beyond simple negligence.”

Accused assert innocence

The six women store managers Nailash Lala (61) and Reshmar Raghubar (39), along with sales representatives Samendrie Pillay (30), Yagna Ramdeen (29), Kamentha Pillai (28), and Sashmila Rajkumar (34) have all pleaded not guilty.

Lala, in a detailed affidavit, emphasised that she was frequently absent from work, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, and that stocktaking was inconsistent. “I did not work full days during the alleged period of theft. The business carried on without proper checks,” she said, also raising concerns about missing documents and the fairness of the investigation.

Rajkumar echoed her stance, highlighting her resignation due to alleged mistreatment by management and rejecting any wrongdoing. “I never stole anything. The charges are malicious,” she told the court.

Ramdeen, who began part-time employment in February 2020, explained that she had resisted attempts to implicate others and questioned the legality of accessing her personal cellphone records during the investigation.

Public scrutiny and fallout

The trial has drawn attention not only for the scale of the alleged theft but also for its human dimension: managers and staff accused of a complex financial crime while challenging the handling of the investigation. Social media in Durban has been buzzing with discussions over corporate accountability, the fairness of retail operations, and how high-value stock is monitored in major shopping centres.

Observers note that the case also highlights broader vulnerabilities in the retail jewellery sector, where trust, meticulous record-keeping, and robust internal controls are essential to protect assets.

Next steps in court

The Durban Magistrate’s Court will continue hearing testimonies in the coming weeks, with the State set to call more witnesses to build its case. Meanwhile, the accused remain out on R20,000 bail each, facing a lengthy legal process that will scrutinise both the alleged theft and the integrity of the evidence.

Whether the court will uncover a long-running conspiracy or a case of procedural confusion remains to be seen but for now, the trial has turned the spotlight onto the glittering yet vulnerable world of high-end retail in South Africa.