The Hawks are investigating two criminal fraud cases against the former chairperson of the Johannesburg Skydiving Club (JSC) and its current chief instructor.

Colonel Katlego Dorothy Mogale, the Hawks’ media liaison officer, confirmed the priority crime investigation unit is still busy investigating Eugene (Pottie) Potgieter and Beverley Cosslett. The investigation follows allegations regarding the control of the club’s property and assets, which have become synonymous with this local tourist attraction.

The dispute surfaced after a video of a meeting was shared on social media, in which club founder Eugene Marais alleged that Potgieter failed to transfer club property held by the Carletonville Skydiving Centre CC, into a trust for the benefit of all members. Marais claimed that instead of converting the CC into a member-owned company, Potgieter registered a non-profit company (NPC) with himself, Cosslett, and Brendon Nortier as directors.

While Marais said that this unjustifiably placed the club’s assets under their control, the directors have approached the Johannesburg High Court seeking confirmation of their right to control the NPC to the exclusion of others. Disputing this application were former chairperson Bryan Pather and nine other club members who, in counter-allegations, alleged that funds from the Parachute Association of Botswana intended for the JSC were instead paid into bank accounts belonging to Johannesburg Sky Events, a private company owned by Potgieter.

Jaya Moodley of JM Attorneys, representing Pather and the other respondents, said the matter was set for July 28 2025. However, the applicants’ legal team withdrew shortly before the hearing.

“To date, we have not been notified of any newly appointed attorneys for the applicants, and the matter has not been re-enrolled for hearing,” Moodley said.

In a separate matter at the Companies Tribunal during 2025, Judge Dennis Davis ruled in favour of an application that another company with the same name as the JSC be ordered to change its name. Potgieter, who applied on behalf of the JSC, argued that the respondent (a company registered in 2025 with Pather and other club members as directors) did not have the applicant’s (the 2015 company with Potgieter as one of the directors) consent to use the name “Johannesburg Skydiving Club”. The tribunal’s decision was made in the absence of a response.

CIPC records show that Jurie Cilliers, the club’s current chairperson, has replaced Nortier as a director of the CSC.

Potgieter is also listed as a director of various other entities, including Extreme Adrenaline Sky Events and the Johannesburg Skydiving Academy.

Responding to the allegations, Potgieter said the conversion to an NPC was part of a process to formalise governance.

“The Carletonville Skydiving Centre was converted from a closed corporation to a non-profit company as part of a process to formalise governance and to ensure continuity of the facility. There has been no improper transfer of funds from Carletonville Skydiving Centre to any unrelated entities. Johannesburg Skydiving Club operates as a member-based organisation and not through shareholding. Any administrative matters relating to legacy entities are being addressed with appropriate professional assistance. I am not aware of any formal charges against me or any other individuals in relation to the matters raised. The various entities you refer to were established over time for different operational, training and event-related purposes. A number of these entities never traded or were subsequently deregistered,” Potgieter said.