An official on the Department of Transport is refusing to obtain a subpoena to testify in a fraud matter which implicates her employer.
The official is to seem in courtroom on Monday for contempt of courtroom, stated the Hawks.
TRANSPORT OFFICIAL A KEY WITNESS TO A FRAUD CASE
The official has been subpoenaed to testify in a fraud case which entails the Department of Transport.
This is as a result of in June 2016, the principle accused particular person fraudulently used the Department’s letter heard to supply and ‘procure’ from suppliers, stated Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.
The provider then purchased the required asset and delivered the products, however the accused vanished with out paying her.
“The victim waited for payment but nothing was received. She then went to the Department of Transport to enquire about the payment for the assets she procured.”
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
But the division knowledgeable her that they by no means ordered something from her.
FRAUD REPORTED TO THE HAWKS FOR INVESTIGATION
The matter was reported to the Middelburg-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation to dig into these allegations.
“During the investigation, the accused was arrested and later released on bail and she is still attending court,” Sekgotodi stated.
Witnesses have been summoned and testified in courtroom. But just one potential witness from the Department of Transport was subpoenaed to come and testify.
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WITNESS BLATANTLY REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH SUBPOENA TO TESTIFY
On 30 June 2022, the investigating officer went to the division to serve the J32 type, which is a subpoena in prison proceedings to be summoned to give proof in courtroom.
Upon arriving, the investigating officer defined to the witness the explanations for his arrival. He informed her that she had to obtain and signal for the subpoena.
Instead, she blatantly refused to obtain the subpoena to testify earlier than the Middelburg Commercial Crime Court, Sekgotodi stated.
“She then refused and told the investigating officer to take the subpoena back to court and throw it at the prosecutor as she is not coming.”
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
The girl then informed the investigating officer that she is not in the case. She informed him to inform the prosecutor to cease calling or emailing her something concerning the matter.
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COURT POSTPONES THE CASE DUE TO HER FAILURE TO ATTEND AND TESTIFY
On 25 July, when she was anticipated to testify, the girl failed to attend the courtroom case.
“The Magistrate issued a warrant for her arrest on that day. On 12 August 2022, she was arrested pending her first court appearance.”
The girl has remained in custody since Friday and can seem on the Middelburg Commercial Crime Court.
Her look nevertheless is not going to be to testify, however for being charged with contempt of courtroom.
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Zodwa Mokoena says that nobody is above the legislation and this arrest ought to set an instance.
“The arrest should serve as a reminder to others that witnesses have an obligation to appear before court to testify and not at their discretion. Any witness who undermines the court will become an accused,” Mokoena stated.
She additional inspired the investigators on this case to proceed with their good work with out worry, favour or prejudice.
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