All Pillay’s charges withdrawn

Despite Deon Pillay’s case being thrown out of court due to lack of evidence, Lucky Sindane from City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) said they are disappointed by the court outcome.

“This is not the first time that the case is thrown out of court despite the overwhelming evidence they have as the City of Johannesburg (CoJ),” he said in a statement to the CHRONICLE.

“We will continue to pursue this case as we believe that we have strong evidence against Pillay. Last week we had a meeting with the NPA to discuss a way forward on the matter. We are confident that the matter will be placed back on the court roll,” he said.

After exactly one year and two days since businessman Deon Pillay (41) first appeared at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, charges were withdrawn on August 27.

He was initially accused of theft, fraud, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act. He was granted R50 000 bail.

R50 000 bail for businessman who defrauded City of Johannesburg

According to Lucky Sindane, a spokesperson from GFIS, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) procured 570 computer desktops from Pillay’s company in 2014 and he failed to deliver them, although he was paid R8.5-million.

Pillay has attended his case at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court at least 11 times. Pillay and his legal representatives are happy that after making their representation the case was withdrawn on merit as they maintain that he was innocent.

The CHRONICLE spoke to Pillay

From the beginning

He said all this was started by a disgruntled former employee.

“She started all this mess because she was spiteful and disgruntled. She stole hundreds of thousands of rands from my company,” said Pillay.

“She then tried to extort money from me, which I didn’t pay. She was charged for theft and fraud and subsequently convicted as she was found guilty.”

Pillay mentioned that the day he came with the Sheriff to check the office, the former employee had made a call to GFIS and told them that she knew where 500 computers were kept.

“She told them they were outside my house in a storage room. However, when they searched, nothing was found. She then told them the computers my employees were using, were stolen.”

Day of the raid

He said in January 2018, GFIS conducted a raid on his premises and an hour later Hawks joined in.

“They were there for almost 10 hours. They said they wanted the proof of payment for the computers, which I gave them. Later that day the Hawks left because there was nothing wrong. GFIS remained behind to continue conducting the raid.

“They took 37 of my staff’s computers and I was never arrested because there was no reason to be arrested as there was no crime committed.”

According to Pillay, 30 days after the 37 computers were confiscated by GFIS, they were returned to him.

“The Hawks maintained there was no wrongdoing. However, the City of Johannesburg made a representation and said there was and the case needs to be reinstated.”

 Deon Pillay’s case provincially postponed to March

First court appearance

Pillay appeared in court for the first time on August 25, 2020, and he was accused of theft, fraud, and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act.

“There was no prima facie case and that is why I think the first prosecutor recused herself from the case, citing she had a relationship with the complainant. “With my legal team, we made a representation to the deputy director of NPA and it emerged that there was no prima facie case. Three senior prosecutors said the same thing.

“I believe there was political interference in the matter. I mean there was not even once when CoJ and GFIS came to me and ask about any discrepancies because I would have explained everything to them as everything was up to date.

“I even offered the City to conduct a forensic audit (offering them to choose the auditing firm) and I said if they find something I will pay for it but if they don’t they must pay. They declined the offer.”

Way forward

“My reputation has been damaged greatly because I believe the GFIS knew that I was not going to be successfully charged. The so-called whistle-blower was not a bona fide person, she was a disgruntled employee.

“I want to put this behind me and continue to repair my personal and business reputation. I also want to clear my name. My legal team will sit with me and see how can we get a recourse and I will take it from there,” noted Pillay.