The former harbour master of Gordon\u2019s Bay Harbour, Malcolm Solomons, has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft following months of investigations into allegations of stealing diesel and accepting bribes from boat users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Gordon\u2019s Bay police arrested and detained a 57-year-old man on Wednesday 30 August around 08:00. \u201cThe suspect, who is facing 28 criminal charges ranging between fraud and theft, appeared in Strand Magistrates\u2019 Court on the same day of the arrest for the mentioned charges,\u201d stated Swartbooi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solomons was suspended in September last year, but resigned three months later amid the ongoing investigation (\u201cGordon\u2019s Bay Harbour\u2019s state sparks concern<\/span>,\u201d DistrictMail, 24 August 2022<\/span>).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A member of the investigation unit at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), who asked not to be named, said the investigation was a collaboration between the department and police. He said that investigations revealed Solomons allegedly stole up to 700 litres<\/span> of diesel over a period and solicited bribes from boat users as they docked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Acting Chief Director of Communications and Advocacy at DFFE, Peter Mbelengwa, said the stance of the department is zero-tolerance towards corruption, fraud and theft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe department acted immediately when made aware of the allegation of fraud and theft,\u201d he said. \u201cIt investigated and gathered the necessary evidence, cooperated with the South African Police Service, which subsequently arrested Mr Solomons.\u201d Mbelengwa added the department would augment and implement the necessary policies, controls and measures to prevent the recurrence of theft and fraud in this regard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are going to embark on consequence management and put monitoring and evaluation measures in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DFFE has also confirmed Nomonde Simon has since been appointed acting harbour master for Gordon\u2019s Bay Harbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A member of the Gordon\u2019s Bay Harbour Users\u2019 Committee, who asked not to be named, has commented that since Solomons\u2019 suspension operations in the harbour had improved significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe committee, of which the new harbour master, Ms Nomonde Simon is the chair, now meet on a regular basis to address issues in the harbour,\u201d the member said. \u201cMs Simon has managed to facilitate meetings between harbour users and role-players in the DFFE and Department of Public Works to escalate the historic issues in the harbour with regard to dredging, safety and security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is also noted criminal activity at the harbour has decreased and the presence of unsavoury characters reduced. The efficiency of the slip operation has increased and there is much more cohesion among harbour users working together to make the Old Harbour a welcome place for both the local community and tourists alike.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asked for an update on the maintenance activity at the harbour, Mbelengwa stated the DFFE was busy procuring a dredging pump and motor for the coastal structures maintenance team to be able to undertake maintenance dredging in the harbours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe DFFE has submitted all requirements to Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and continues to log urgent maintenance requirements on an ongoing basis. Minor maintenance is dealt with by the DFFE maintenance team where possible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Solomons was released on bail shortly after he had appeared in court and is expected to be back in the docks on Monday 23 October. Anyone with information that can assist with the police investigation is urged to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The former harbour master of Gordon\u2019s Bay Harbour, Malcolm Solomons, has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft following months of investigations into allegations of stealing diesel and accepting bribes from boat users.
\nAccording to police the 57-year-old man was arrested and detained on Wednesday 30 August around 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