GAUTENG – Four individuals, namely Ridwaan Saber, Yusuf Jamal, Ebrahim Khan, and Mohammed Ballim found themselves in the spotlight as they appeared before the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on November 9, 2023. Their appearance follows their recent arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit on charges of fraud and theft, involving an estimated sum of R5,740,000. The accused were subsequently granted bail.
The allegations against the four individuals revolve around a fraudulent scheme in which they purportedly submitted procurement orders, falsely claiming to represent the Department of Health. Their deceptive actions led to the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the value of R5,740,000 by an unsuspecting complainant.
The complainant, trusting the authenticity of the procurement orders, delivered the PPE equipment to the suspects, believing it was intended for the Department of Health. However, neither the Department nor the promised payments materialized, leaving the complainant with significant losses.
During the court proceedings, three of the accused, Ridwaan Saber, Yusuf Jamal, and Mohammed Ballim, were each granted bail in the amount of R8,000. Ebrahim Khan, the fourth accused, was granted bail of R5,000.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the substantial financial implications and the alleged exploitation of trust within the procurement process. As the legal proceedings continue, investigators will work diligently to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud and theft, ensuring that justice is served in this complex and concerning case.
