In a recent court appearance at the New Brighton Magistrate’s Court, Thobeka Dyam, former Human Resource (HR) manager and controller for Daku Superspar in Kwazakhele, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, faced multiple charges, including fraud, money laundering, and contravention of Section 4 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The 38-year-old Dyam, who held the position of HR manager and controller, was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, on January 24. The charges stem from incidents that occurred between February 2015 and July 2019.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Dyam is accused of creating ghost workers by submitting details of fictitious employees to the payroll office who were no longer part of Daku Superspar’s workforce. The investigation revealed that Dyam intentionally provided the payroll company with bank account numbers belonging to her and her brother while having full control over her brother’s account. The alleged fraudulent activities resulted in a substantial loss for the company, estimated at over R592,000.
Following her arrest, Dyam appeared in court and was released on a warning. The case has been remanded to January 31, 2024, and is expected to be transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gqeberha.
Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, the provincial head of the Hawks, commended the investigative team’s efforts in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).