ADMIN OFFICER CONVICTED FOR FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING
EASTERN CAPE – The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted Bathandwa Matikinca (37) for charges of fraud and money laundering on 1 March 2023.
Between March 2013 and February 2021, Matikinca as the Administrative and Learner Support Officer at the Coega Development Corporation used the details of learners that had already exited the training programs and substituted their banking details with his own on the payroll system to the external payroll (wage bureaus) service provider used to process the learners’ stipends. The stipends were then paid into various bank accounts which were held in the name of Bathandwa Matikinca. After further investigation, it was discovered that the accused also paid funds into his wife’s bank account.
The matter was reported to the Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks for an extensive exploration. The investigation confirmed the prejudice to the Coega Development Corporation of more than R6.6 million.
Matikinca was arrested on 26 May 2022 and made his first court appearance where he was released on bail. He will know of his fate on 9 May 2023.
