It was discovered that he colluded with his accomplices and manipulated stock levels on the company system. They allegedly created a requirement for certain products in order to purchase more stock. Logistics manager sentenced to eight years imprisonment
A LOGISTICS manager, Rakesh Maharaj, who was convicted for fraud, corruption and money laundering was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday.
Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, spokesperson for the Hawks in KZN, said during the period between January 2015 and September 2017, Maharaj was employed by Consulens Health Care Solution PTY as a logistics manager.
"It was discovered that he colluded with his accomplices and manipulated stock levels on the company system. They allegedly created a requirement for certain products in order to purchase more stock."
Mhlongo said in the process they created false invoices and delivery notes to the amount of R24 million, which was paid to the suppliers.
"A case of fraud, corruption and money laundering was reported at the Cato Manor police station and the case docket was allocated to Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation. They were arrested and charged accordingly in November 2021."
Mhlongo said Maharaj was convicted and sentenced on 103 counts of fraud, 102 of corruption and one count of money laundering.
"He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for fraud of which two years was suspended for three years. He was also sentenced to another 10 years imprisonment for corruption of which two years is also suspended for three years and five years imprisonment for money laundering, which is wholly suspended for three years."
Mhlongo said the sentence would run concurrently. This meant he would serve eight years of direct imprisonment.
He added that Maharaj's accomplices, Oleena Dauchand, 51, and Debi George, 61, would continue with the trial on October 30.
The KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General (Dr) Lesetja Senona, welcomed the sentence and congratulated the members for the good work.
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