[imagesource:UCF]

The director of United Aviation Group Jonathan Wolpe has appeared in court after being nabbed by the Hawks on charges of fraud.

The 43-year-old CEO allegedly defrauded R9 million from the complainant in the matter, related to a contract entered into with the Democratic Republic of Congo during elections last year.

Wolpe is accused of fraudulently receiving payment for charter flights from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to South Africa while operating under the entity United Chartered Flight Services.

Two South African pilots found themselves held against their will in the DRC after a business deal between a local group and a company contracted for presidential election work there went belly-up.

Eyewitness News reporter Orrin Singh spilt the tea, saying the whole mess is now parked with the Hawks in Gauteng, thanks to the subcontractor opening a case.

“Wolpe had secured this contract and had basically not provided the services he was meant to… and the subcontractor alleged he’d made off with more than R9 million that is due to them,” Singh explained.

Singh says, from what he’s gathered, one of the Durban-based pilots decided to pull a U-turn on their charges against Wolpe. Apparently, the pilot’s family tried to hammer out a settlement for the money he was allegedly owed.

Sounds like they’re hoping to make a deal before things get any messier.

However, Wolpe was charged alongside his company. He appeared before the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the initial hearing. The matter has been postponed to Wednesday, for formal bail application.

Quarterly crime statistics for July to September released by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu indicate that commercial crime in South Africa has shown the biggest increase, with an uptick of 18.5%.

“We remain committed to upholding justice and ensuring that those who engage in fraudulent activities are held accountable,” said head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa.

[source:iol]