Cape Town - An accountant, who allegedly stole money intended for orphans and other vulnerable children, appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Allan Mark Leaser, 47, was not asked to plead to 55 counts of fraud and theft, involving R986,651, when he appeared before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.
Prosecutor Jannie Knipe told the court the case was likely to take the form of a plea-bargain, and that negotiations for an appropriate sentence were “still on the table”.
Leaser was a financial manager of the Vana Vetu programme, initiated by the Anglican Aids and Healthcare Trust, from December 2009 to May 2011.
He was charged with theft after he allegedly diverted donations, intended for orphans and other vulnerable children, into his personal bank account.
Leaser was employed as an accountant with MMW Trucking CC, and was supposed to have paid VAT, PAYE and UIF funds to the SA Revenue Service on his employer’s behalf.
Instead, between February 2008 and January 2011, he allegedly diverted the money into his private bank account, and that was why he was charged with fraud.
He was warned to appear in court again on July 18.
Sapa