Cape Town – A Gqeberha court clerk appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court this week on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering after allegedly forging her signature on false booking forms for accommodation for Department of Justice witnesses.
The Hawks said 28-year-old Ntombikayise Screech was arrested and appeared in court on Monday.
“Allegations are that Screech as an administration clerk at the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court forged her signature on booking forms for accommodation for witnesses for the Department of Justice.
“She is reported to have been tasked to make bookings for witnesses attending court,” Hawks spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela said.
During her absence, a supervisor found irregular claim forms of which the majority appeared to have been forged and false.
“In addition the cellphone numbers on the said claims were reported not to be those of the beneficiaries but those of the suspect,” Mgolodela said.
All of the bookings are reported to have been for a guest house in Summerstrand and numerous electronic transfers were made from the business’ account to Screech’s bank account.
“Screech is alleged to have repeatedly made numerous e-wallet transfers amounting to more than R357 000 to a number of persons as well as transferring more than R1.4 million to her own investment accounts.
“The said e-wallet transfers appeared to be kickbacks inclusive of the level 5 Covid-19 lockdown period when there was little or no business for local guest houses,” Mgolodela said.
The total value of the transactions amounted to more than R2.1m.
Screech was remanded in custody until July 1.
Cape Times