Three suspects aged 50 and 46 have been arrested for allegedly defrauding a group of companies of nearly six-million-rand.

The trio allegedly committed the fraudulent crimes between 2015 and 2017 and collaborated in siphoning funds from various companies under the South Africa Fruit Exporters. The funds were meant for workmen’s compensation fund contributions. CEO of the SAFE group of companies opened a case of fraud with the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation after realising the amount owed to the fund was still outstanding.

The trio faces 211 charges, including fraud, theft, and forgery. They will appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Bellville later today.

Picture: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images