Africa-Press – South-Africa. An anonymous whistleblower has revealed a fraud scandal at Pick n Pay, which is now being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
The whistleblower alerted Daily Investor that Pick n Pay’s Head of Finance for its Supply Chain has been dismissed following multiple allegations of fraud, which took place over multiple years.
The whistleblower further told Daily Investor that other Pick n Pay department heads in this division recently resigned.
However, Daily Investor understands that these resignations may be unrelated to the fraud allegations.
Daily Investor has been provided with the name of the Pick n Pay staff member who is facing the allegations.
The exact amount allegedly stolen is still unknown. Under South African law, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act requires companies to report all fraud or related crimes involving R100,000 or more.
This applies to offences such as theft, fraud, extortion, forgery, or uttering a forged document, and includes any actual or suspected corrupt activities.
Corporate and commercial law firm VDMA explained that the South African Police Service Amendment Act also requires that the reporting be made to a police official in the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as the Hawks, has been alerted about the alleged fraud committed by the Pick n Pay staff member.
The whistleblower claimed the Hawks are now investigating this matter, after it was reported by Pick n Pay.
Daily Investor reached out to the Hawks for comment on the investigation, but did not receive a response before publication. If a response is received, it will be added to this article.
Daily Investor also reached out to Pick n Pay, which said in an official statement that it cannot comment on matters that are the subject of confidential internal processes or external inquiries.
“We confirm that unethical conduct involving a former employee has been investigated, in line with our standard governance processes and procedures,” Pick n Pay said.
“As the matter remains under investigation, we are unable to comment further.”
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