Janitha van Reenen Coetzee, 25, appeared in court on Friday (3/7), where her bail application based on alleged new facts was dismissed. Coetzee faces a charge of fraud involving about R424 000 allegedly defrauded from the Emfuleni municipality. 

Delivering judgment, the magistrate agreed with the state’s submissions and found the information presented by the accused did not constitute new facts. Gauteng NPA communications officer Tshegofatso Makhudu welcomed the court’s decision.

‘Funds never paid over’

“The court held that it would not be in the interest of justice to release the accused on bail. Consequently, the bail application based on new facts was dismissed.”

According to the state, Coetzee allegedly misrepresented herself as an independent agent capable of assisting residents in obtaining discounts on outstanding municipal accounts. 

It is alleged victims paid her money to make discounted payments to the municipality on their behalf. However, the funds were allegedly never paid over to the municipality.

The accused also allegedly submitted claims to the municipality on behalf of the victims. Prosecutors allege the municipality paid approximately R424 000 to the accused, but the money was never paid to the intended beneficiaries. 

The alleged fraud was uncovered by the late chief financial officer of Emfuleni municipality, Martha Mani Rantsofu, who identified suspicious claims and reported the matter to her manager.

“Following an internal investigation, the municipality reported the matter to the police for further investigation,” said Makhudu.

During the bail proceedings, state prosecutor Moses Raditsela opposed the application, arguing the accused posed a flight risk because her residential address could not be properly verified due to inconsistencies regarding her place of residence. 

The state also argued that no genuine new facts had been presented, maintaining the issues raised had already been considered and addressed during the previous bail application. 

It also submitted releasing the accused on bail would not be in the interests of justice. The matter has been postponed for further investigations.

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