Mohammed Arai
The Lenasia police on Monday arrested a 62-year-old travel operator for allegedly defrauding Muslim pilgrims of hundreds of thousands of rands. “We arrested a 62-year-old female on charges of fraud and corruption, and bribing travel organisations,” confirmed Lenasia SAPS spokesperson, Captain Hector Netshivhodza, to Salaamedia.
It is alleged that the travel operator defrauded members of the Muslim community, and bribed travel organisations.
“The lady will appear in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court tomorrow,” Netshivhodza told Salaamedia.
Salaamedia’s Marriam Mia spoke to Muhammad Ameen Mayet, one of the complainants of the alleged defrauder.
“The [alleged] defrauder owes about five million rands to 149 victims in South Africa, and a few million rands to hotel groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Mayet told Salaamedia.
“We [the victims] laid criminal charges against her and her husband, and the Lenasia police investigated the matter thoroughly.”
Emotional Mayet added: “We will make it our duty to oppose the bail [tomorrow] in every way possible so that she stays in prison. Five million rands is not small change.”
Listen to the full discussion below:
Featured image from Google via Voice of the Cape.