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TimesLIVE
24-04-2025
- TimesLIVE
Former Spar manager and bookkeeper 'defrauded shop of R2.3m'
A former Spar manager and a bookkeeper have appeared in the Gqeberha specialised commercial crimes court on charges of fraud amounting to R2.3m. Nicole Bekker, 37, and Chantelle Erasmus, 48, were arrested on Wednesday and appeared in court the same day charged with fraud, theft and money laundering. 'Between 2021 and 2023 [they] allegedly conspired and misappropriated the daily shop cash. Among their daily duties were to record cash and bank the money into the business bank account,' said police spokesperson W/O Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana. 'However, Bekker and Erasmus, reportedly, instead of banking the money to the account, shared cash between themselves for their benefit in tranches.' She added that during auditing, discrepancies were picked up and the matter was referred to the Hawks. An investigation confirmed the duo had conspired to steal from the shop, which resulted in a loss of R2.3m. The suspects were released on bail of R5,000 each and the case was postponed to June 17. Acting provincial head of Hawks Brig Romeo Petrus welcomed the arrests.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Former Gqeberha Spar manager and bookkeeper arrested for R2.3 million theft
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested Nicole Bekker and Chantelle Erasmus on April 23 for allegedly stealing R2.3 million from Gqeberha Acres Spar. The Hawks in the Eastern Cape have arrested former Gqeberha Acres Spar general manager Nicole Bekker, 37, and former bookkeeper Chantelle Erasmus, 48, on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering amounting to R2.3 million. The two were arrested on Wednesday, April 23, by the Gqeberha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks and they appeared in court the same day and were released on R5,000 bail each. Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said that between 2021 and 2023, Bekker and Erasmus allegedly conspired to misappropriate daily shop cash. Among their duties, was to record and regularly deposit the store's cash into the business bank account. However, Mhlakuvana said the pair allegedly pocketed the money and shared it among themselves in tranches. "In some instances, the suspects reportedly ordered another person to deposit cash into the same account," Mhlakuvana said. He said discrepancies were picked up during an audit, and the matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation. "Investigations confirmed the allegations that the suspects connived with the intention of stealing from the store. As a result, Spar suffered a financial loss of R2.3 million," Mhlakuvana said. Mhlakuvana said the case was postponed to June 17 for the defense to receive copies of the docket. The pair is facing charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering. Meanwhile, acting provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Romeo Fredrick Petrus, welcomed the arrests and praised the Gqeberha team for ensuring a thorough investigation. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
