Two convicted over R1.7m Keens Wholesalers fraud in Gqeberha

The Gqeberha Regional Court at the New Law Courts has convicted two people of fraud and money laundering in a commercial‑crime case linked to Keens Wholesalers in Korsten, Gqeberha. The convictions relate to fraudulent transactions totalling more than R1.7 million.

Who was convicted and when

On 26 August 2026 the court found Megan Brooks and Leroy Bezuidenhout guilty of fraud and money laundering. Their co‑accused, Rochanda Leander, had been sentenced in 2020.

How the scheme worked

According to the prosecution, the matter arose from fraudulent transactions committed between September 2017 and February 2018, when Brooks and Leander were employed as office administrators at Keens Wholesalers. Their official duties included telesales, processing invoices, and preparing cash deposits and banking documentation for suppliers.

Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the fraud exploited the company’s routine supplier‑payment process, which used cash deposits transported by Fidelity security personnel. He said deposit slips were prepared to appear as payments to Health Shield, but the cash was diverted into a bank account fraudulently opened in the supplier’s name.

Investigation and response

The Hawks investigated the scheme and, Mhlakuvana said, found that the fraudulent activity caused financial prejudice of more than R1.7 million and that the proceeds were distributed among those implicated.

“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,”

Eastern Cape Hawks Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya said.

Next steps

Brooks and Bezuidenhout had been released on bail and made numerous court appearances before their conviction. The matter has been postponed to 13 October 2026 for sentencing.