The Star reports that the State Theatre has opened a criminal case with the police against some of its employees after they allegedly defrauded the organisation of millions of rand.  

Management was made aware of the acts by Absa on 10 December after a staff member in the finance department tampered with payment documentation and the electronic banking system.  The alleged fraud has apparently been going on for at least more than five years, during which the fraudsters allegedly deliberately framed others.  It is believed they went around boasting they were not worried about being caught because the chief financial officer and chief executive “did the final signing off”.  Chief executive Dr Sibongiseni Mkhize said the culprits were caught following a rigorous undercover investigation.  He commented that the criminal acts were the worst form of betrayal of trust.  He said that although the initial investigations uncovered two officials – one at finance and another at supply chain management – they believed more people were involved.  The State Theatre has taken precautionary measures by suspending the implicated officials, while another has resigned.  “In addition to the criminal case, which will hopefully result in people being imprisoned for many years, we will also pursue other legal measures to recover the stolen funds,” Mkhize said.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rudzani Matshili on page 5 of The Star of 11 February 2020

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