Former Cancer Association employee jailed on 309 counts of fraud

Phadi Jim Maboea, a 37-year-old ex-employee of the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA); has been convicted on 309 counts of fraud on Monday, at the Bloemfontein’s Magistrate’s Court.

Cancer Association: An internal forensic investigation brought light to the fraud

During a couple of months, Maboea duplicated payments made for the company’s electricity and embezzled a total of R308 998 in inflated amounts.

The organisation discovered Maboea’s fraudulent activities on 11 October 2018 – through an internal forensic probe which is done at the end of every financial year- while the illegal transactions occurred on 30 June 2017.

After an internal forensic probe, the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation was tasked to further investigate the fraudulent activities, as Cansa filed a formal complaint and dismissed the employee.

Cansa has a zero-tolerance approach to crime of any kind

Maboea was arrested on 19 March 2019, furthermore, the former employee has been sentenced to 24 months direct imprisonment for 309 counts of theft and fraud charges.

Speaking to Elize Joubert, Cansa’s chief executive officer, she confirms that the entity has zero-tolerance for fraud or any kind of crime committed. Furthermore, Cansa would not just dismiss the employee and keep quiet, they knew the full hand of the law needed to be dealt, with a complete criminal case.

The ex-employee was trusted and provided good service

Cansa is disheartened, to say the least, as this former employee was trusted and delivered good services through the duration of his employment by Cansa; however, the company stands firm in knowing there is no excuse for criminal activity.

“Our systems caught up with the fraudulent activity, and after this unfortunate event, we just realised the loop-holes this person discovered, and we are jacking up control and systems again. It is a responsibility for us as a non-government entity because we are trusted with donor money, so we take it very seriously.

Fortunately, it did not take place over a long period, we were able to get on it. We discovered it within two financial years; as it took place for a few months, and instantly filed a criminal case.”

Elize Joubert, Cansa CEO

Joubert applauds their auditing systems and internal forensic investigation team, as they caught-on to the trace of fraud, and shone the light on this discovery. The organisation has addressed this issue while enhancing its control and operation to ensure any kind of crime is prevented.