Possible Rea Vaya fraud syndicate probed

Investigators are probing whether there could be a syndicate colluding with Rea Vaya to fleece the bus service after almost R2m was paid into a couple’s business account.

Johannesburg - Investigators are probing whether there could be a syndicate colluding with Rea Vaya to fleece the bus service of millions of rand.

This is after almost R2 million was paid into a couple’s business account.

It was supposed to be paid as compensation to a taxi boss who had his permit cancelled and two taxis removed to make way for Rea Vaya. The taxi boss was among the owners of 317 minibus taxis who were paid a total of R263m to have their vehicles taken off the road to make way for Rea Vaya.

Shafick Bangus, 56, and Ayesha Bangus, 55, have since been arrested for allegedly defrauding Rea Vaya. They appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court recently on charges of theft and fraud.

According to the charge sheet, an amount of R1.7m was “erroneously” paid into a couple’s business account on August 8 last year.

It was during the time that Rea Vaya’s transport department was paying dividends into the accounts of the people whose bus or buses were being taken off the road. However, the couple were never involved in the taxi industry.

The Star understands that investigators are trying to find out if there could be anyone colluding with the couple.

Captain Zenzele Sithole from the Hawks Specialised Commercial Crime Unit said investigations started in March when the rightful beneficiary approached Rea Vaya, saying he had not received the money.

The couple were released on bail of R10 000 each and the case was postponed to September 13.

solly.maphumulo@inl.co.za

The Star