A Phoenix pastor, his wife, and daughter are among seven people standing trial in the Pinetown Regional Magistrate’s Court over an alleged fraud scheme that reportedly cost a Pinetown manufacturing company more than R4 million.
The trial has attracted significant public interest due to the alleged involvement of members of a well-known church family, former employees and suppliers linked to P&A Fabricators. The State alleges the accused participated in, or benefited from, a fraud scheme in which company funds were unlawfully diverted over several years. All accused remain innocent until proven guilty in court.
Former creditors clerk Senamile Mthabela, who pleaded guilty to several counts of fraud in the Pinetown Regional Magistrate’s Court last Monday, detailed in her plea statement how she allegedly conspired with a co-worker to defraud the company.
According to court documents, Lingasparee “Leigh” Madurai, a former senior finance and human resources employee who worked at P&A Fabricators for 27 years, is alleged to have orchestrated the fraud by abusing her position of trust. The State alleges she diverted company funds into personal bank accounts while disguising the transactions as legitimate creditor payments. Prosecutors further allege the money was used to fund personal expenses, including luxury purchases, holidays, parties and church tithes.
In her plea statement, Mthabela said she discovered alleged payment irregularities while carrying out filing duties and questioned Madurai about them. She alleged that Madurai explained how unauthorised payments had been processed and offered to include her in the scheme in exchange for her silence. Mthabela admitted she accepted the arrangement and financially benefited from it.
Mthabela was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not convicted of fraud committed during the suspension period.
Madurai was granted bail of R50 000 and is standing trial alongside her husband, Dhanapalan “Jayce” Madurai, a pastor who faces charges of fraud and money laundering and was also released on R50 000 bail. Their daughter, Devaksha Mangaru, faces fraud charges in a separate matter and was released on warning.
Also facing fraud-related charges are suppliers Vani Archari, Mehmood Cassim and Zanab Cassim.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda previously confirmed several arrests linked to the investigation.
“The suspects appeared before the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on various dates following their arrests and were charged with fraud after investigations uncovered the alleged unlawful processing of company payments,” said Netshiunda.
The State alleges the co-accused either participated in or benefited from the alleged fraudulent scheme. These allegations will be tested during the course of the trial.
The case has also drawn attention from employees of P&A Fabricators, many of whom have attended previous court proceedings in support of the company. Some employees have expressed concern over the alleged financial losses and the potential impact the scheme could have had on the future of the business and their livelihoods had it not been uncovered.
Responding to the arrest of the Phoenix pastor allegedly linked to the R4.2 million fraud case, Phoenix Religious Leaders Forum and Spiritual Crime Prevention initiative chairperson Moulana Tariq Mohamed said the allegations should not tarnish the reputation of the wider faith community and stressed that religious leaders have a responsibility to lead by example.
“As religious leaders, we have a responsibility to lead by example and uphold the highest moral and ethical standards. Our role is to guide people to do what is right, whether at home, in the workplace or in every aspect of their daily lives. Our words must always be matched by our actions because our communities look to us for guidance and inspiration.
“The individual in question is not a member of the Phoenix Religious Leaders Forum. We, as the Spiritual Crime Prevention initiative, strongly distance ourselves from any conduct that undermines the values of honesty, integrity and accountability that we promote. Such alleged behaviour is inconsistent with the principles of faith and the teachings we strive to uphold,” said Mohamed.
“We remain committed to working with law enforcement, community organisations and residents to build a society founded on respect, justice and moral responsibility. We encourage all religious leaders, regardless of denomination, to continue setting a positive example and to remind those we serve that no one is above the law. Trust is earned through integrity, and it is our collective duty to preserve that trust within our communities.”
The trial, which commenced in the Pinetown Regional Magistrate’s Court last week, is expected to continue over the coming weeks as the State presents its evidence.
