A South African National Defence Force (SANDF) clerk accused of defrauding her employer of R1,1-million will go on trial in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on June 28.
The case against Zelda Wolmarans and co-accused Shona Heydenrych was postponed on Monday as Heydenrych’s lawyer was not available.
Wolmarans (44), residing in Clubview, captured information on the Department of Defence’s payroll of army reserve members being called up for courses or training.
She is accused of falsely recording that some part-time reserve-force members were called up, and then claiming money for these fictitious attendances from the SANDF’s salary system.
According to the charge sheet, she had this money paid into her own bank account and that of her children and stepchildren.
She was arrested in April 2006 and released on bail of R20 000.
Soon afterwards, her children — Chrizelle and Pieter Jacobus Stephanus van Vuuren — and her three stepchildren, Dirk Jacobus, Maria Fransina and Christina Johanna, all Wolmarans, were arrested as the state alleged they acted with a common purpose with Wolmarans. They were granted bail of R5 000 each.
In September that year, Anna Marie Leona Rudman, Louis Johannes Fourie and Shona Heydenrych were also arrested.
Earlier this year, Wolmarans and Heydenrych (54), of Valhalla, started plea negotiations with the state. Charges were then withdrawn against the other accused.
However, as these negotiations between the remaining two accused and the state were unsuccessful, the pair was suppose to go on trial on Monday.
Wolmarans and Heydenrych are expected to plea on June 28. — Sapa