A 46-year-old chief whip of a well-known political party was served with a warrant of arrest today (Thursday 28 May) on charges of fraud, the Hawks said.

The alleged scheme

It is alleged that between August and December 2024, the suspect headhunted and recruited four individuals into the party as researchers. During their employment, she allegedly demanded payments from them under the pretext that the money was intended to cover the legal costs of the party’s president.

The four researchers were reportedly forced to pay between 50% and 60% of their salaries to the accused.

Financial losses

In total, the suspect is alleged to have defrauded the researchers of approximately R233 317,99, Zinzi Hani, spokesperson for the Hawks, said.

The accused is set to make her first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 28 May).

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