Thabazimbi school financial clerk appears in court for embezzling R1.5 million

Bessie Pretorious (54) briefly appeared before the Thabazimbi Magistrates’ Court following her arrest by the Limpopo Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members today, 1 June 2023 for allegedly embezzling R1.5 million from her employer.

It is alleged that between 2017 and 2018, the suspect was employed as a financial clerk at Thabazimbi Christian School and her main responsibility was to manage the school finances. Instead of truthfully managing the school finances, the suspect allegedly stole some of the school money and transferred it into her personal bank account on numerous occasions.

The school management became suspicious and an audit was consequently conducted. The audit report revealed the fraudulent activities, as a result, a case of fraud was opened and transferred to Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime based in Polokwane for further investigation.

After a thorough and meticulous investigation by the Polokwane based Hawks members, a warrant of arrest was authorised against the accused and it was successfully executed. The accused was granted R7000-00 bail and her case was postponed to 18 July 2023.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has appreciated the meritorious effort of the members who worked tirelessly around the clock until the accused was brought to book.

Source: South African Police Service