Duo arrested for R900k fraud, granted R2 000 bail each

The accused, Warren William Bruce (36), Leandri Oosthuizen (30) and the company De Bingos self-services CC appeared before the Boshof Magistrates’ Court yesterday, September 5, where they faced charges of fraud, forgery, uttering, contravention of the electric communication and transaction act.

According to Hawks spokesperson in the Free State, captain Christopher Singo, it is alleged that during the period of June 2018 until July 2020 Bruce and his company De Bingos self-services were purchasing meat at Boshof Abattoir.

“Upon purchasing meat fraudulent invoices were then issued to Bruce with the assistant of Oosthuizein who was an employee of the victim.

“Oosthuizen would then instruct other employees at the Abattoir to issue meat to Bruce without the proof of payment or any payment being made for the products,” detailed Singo.

Singo says as a result of the fraudulent activities, the victim was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of more than R900 000.

The matter was reported to the Hawks investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigations.

The accused handed themselves over to the Hawks investigating office yesterday.

The Boshof Magistrate Court granted the accused R2 000 conditional bail, their case will resume in October 20, post further investigations.