BLOEMFONTEIN – The two individuals the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court convicted of fraud and money laundering involving the auction of vehicles at the Government Garage in Bloemfontein will be sentenced on 13 October.

They are Jeanne Kellerman (55), former senior administrative clerk at the Government Garage, and Mohammed Cajee (40), director of the MNS Cars dealership. Their conviction on Monday 24 August was a result of an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Bloemfontein.

WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the fraud and money laundering matter amounts to R1 163 758 involving the auctioning of state vehicles. She confirmed no money was recovered from the fraud scheme.

“During 2023, several auctions were held at the Government Garage in Bloemfontein, where 18 vehicles were sold to Cajee for R1 163 758. He paid a deposit of R150 000 and was required to settle the outstanding balance in full before the garage could release the vehicles. Kellerman, a former senior administrative clerk at the Government Garage, however, released the vehicles to his accomplice without the outstanding balance having been settled – in contravention of departmental policies. He also made misrepresentations to the garage’s security official to facilitate the release of the vehicles,” said Matoti. She said further investigation revealed that Kellerman had received R10 000 in gratification from his accomplice.

Matoti said that the matter was reported to the Hawks in Bloemfontein for investigation.

“The court subsequently issued warrants of arrest for both accused. On 14 November 2023, Kellerman and Cajee handed themselves over to the Hawks’ investigating officer and were duly charged,” she said. Cajee was granted bail set at R10 000 and Kellerman’s bail was set at R3 000.