In a significant legal development, Rosslyn Moodley, a 43-year-old assistant manager at Hemmingway’s Mall in the Eastern Cape, has been convicted of committing fraud exceeding R700,000. The verdict was delivered by the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Moodley’s fraudulent activities spanned from 2018 to 2020, during which she exploited her position to create numerous fraudulent gift card vouchers for personal benefit. The case was investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, who uncovered that Moodley had misappropriated over R720,000 from the mall’s funds.
According to Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Hawks, Moodley was arrested on February 13, 2023. She was initially released on a warning but faced numerous court appearances as her trial progressed. The seriousness of the fraud led to her conviction, marking a critical outcome in the ongoing fight against financial misconduct.
The investigation revealed that Moodley, who was responsible for managing the centre’s operations, had manipulated the system to produce and utilize fraudulent gift card vouchers, causing substantial financial damage. The case was formally lodged with the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit in East London, which conducted a comprehensive probe into the matter.
The court has adjourned the case to October 14, 2024, to receive a probation officer’s report before sentencing. Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, commended the investigative team for their diligent work, emphasizing the importance of a sentence commensurate with the gravity of Moodley’s crimes.
This case underscores the critical need for stringent internal controls and oversight in retail management to prevent such large-scale fraud. The conviction serves as a stern warning to others in similar positions of authority, reinforcing the message that financial misconduct will be met with serious legal consequences.
