Tebogo Msimanga |
Two suspects, Michelle Pillay (37) and Khatiya Patel (42) appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
It is alleged that between 2012 and 2019, Techno Genius Director, Adriaan Pillay (38) and his business partner Mohamed Ismail Adamjee (44) who at the time was a Cell C executive, reportedly colluded and inflated rates for IT and network services required by Cell C which resulted in an actual loss of over R130 million.
Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu said further investigation revealed that Patel allegedly colluded and inflated rates for the IT and network services rendered to Cell C while working as an Administrator at Techno Genius on the same period.
“However, Michelle Pillay reportedly received approximately R3 million into her bank account as proceeds of crime.”A warrant of arrest was issued on Tuesday. The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Johannesburg successfully traced Pillay at her Sandton residence.
Meanwhile, Patel handed herself in on Wednesday accompanied by her legal representative and charged.
They both appeared in court and they were granted R30 000 bail each. The case is postponed to 16 February 2022.
