Council driver in court over petrol fraud

A DRIVER at the Karas Regional Council has been arrested on a charge of fraud for allegedly embezzling about N$22 000 from the council’s petrol card account.

Stephanus Swartbooi appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was granted bail of N$3 000. The case was postponed until August 5 to enable the suspect to obtain the services of a lawyer.Council’s Chief Regional Officer Salmaan Jacobs said a transport officer discovered the fraudulent use of a petrol card during her monthly scrutiny of accounts.Jacobs said Swarbooi is alleged to have colluded with petrol attendants at a local service station.It is the second time the driver has been accused of petrol fraud.In the first case, he was suspended for nearly a year but had to be reinstated because of lack of evidence.The case was postponed until August 5 to enable the suspect to obtain the services of a lawyer.Council’s Chief Regional Officer Salmaan Jacobs said a transport officer discovered the fraudulent use of a petrol card during her monthly scrutiny of accounts.Jacobs said Swarbooi is alleged to have colluded with petrol attendants at a local service station.It is the second time the driver has been accused of petrol fraud.In the first case, he was suspended for nearly a year but had to be reinstated because of lack of evidence.