A finance administrator at Rhodes University in Makhanda was found guilty on multiple charges relating to fraud in the Gqeberha Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday.
Wendy Zimasa Xabiya (32) was found guilty on the following charges: forgery, fraud, money laundering and the contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
According to police reports, during the period of January 1, 2017 and December 1, 2018, Xabiya, employed as a finance administrator at Rhodes University, processed fraudulent travel and subsistence claims. Thereafter, funds were deposited unlawfully into fraudulent beneficiaries’ accounts for her personal enrichment.
“The university, on discovering the abnormality, referred the matter to the Gqeberha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for probing, which led to her arrest on December 3, 2021. She made a short court appearance on the same day and was released on warning,” the report read.
“The investigations revealed that the university was prejudiced cash to the value of more than R480 000. The conviction comes after a series of court appearances. The matter is remanded to June 20, 2022 for sentencing.”
