Five suspects appeared at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday following a Hawks operation targeting fraud, theft, and money laundering across the Western Cape.
Faris Monan (37), Sihaam Tifloen (37), and Nicholas Cloete (46) were released on R50 000 bail each, while Edward (59) and Anthea Marais (48) were remanded in custody. The matter has been postponed to Wednesday.
Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba said the arrests were part of a joint investigation between the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Hawks.
“Our operation led to the arrest of five suspects and four companies suspected of defrauding a Gqeberha-based construction company seeking to expand into Cape Town,” Fumba said.
Investigations revealed that between 2015 and 2018, one of the accused—a qualified quantity surveyor employed as a branch manager—allegedly set up a private company offering the same services as the parent firm. He and colluding subcontractors are said to have created fictitious invoices, diverting payments to the private company.
“The estimated loss to the company is around R12 million. Further arrests are expected as investigations continue,” Fumba added.
Photo: Supplied
