EASTERN CAPE - AFTER 10 YEARS, EC HEALTH DEPT FRAUD SUSPECT IS APPREHENDED BY HAWKS IN JOHANNESBURG

Owen Bruce James (41), made his first appearance in the Zwelitsha Magistrate Court on Tuesday facing charges of fraud and the theft.

James was apprehended on Sunday evening at Turfontien, Johannesburg, by the Eastern Cape Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team after the Zwelitsha Magistrate court issued a warrant for his arrest in March 2016.

On the 30 April of 2010, the Eastern Cape department of Education discovered that there were 14 fraudulent transactions which were executed at the department where payments were made to four schools. It is alleged that the bank details to which the fraudulent payments were made to did not belong to legitimate beneficiaries of the department. It is further alleged that internal payment procedures were flouted.

Investigations reveal that one of the bank accounts to which a payment was made to belonged to James. Approximately R600 000 was allegedly deposited into his personal account and this amount was withdrawn from this account on 01 April 2010.

James is expected back in the same court on the 18 February 2020 for bail application and he remains in custody.

via - SAPS