Explosive allegations surface in YSM/ELM fraud case
The Hawks confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding a stolen Eskom transformer found on YSM premises.
VEREENIGING.- New allegations have emerged in the ongoing fraud case involving Andries Petrus Cornelius Marx, his wife Henriette Marx who is a former television presenter of the kykNet show Net Koffie, and Paul Louis McIntyre, who are facing charges of fraud and theft amounting to over R32 million from Yellow Star Manufacturing (YSM).
According to a Sunday Times investigation, Marx has accused YSM owner Hanno van Dyk of bribing Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) officials with R14 million a year to illegally reduce electricity costs. Marx, a former claims in a statement made to police in 2023 that a transformer was stolen from Eskom and installed at YSM, allowing the company to cut its power bill in half.
He alleges he was instructed to make cash payments to municipal officials, including Thabo Khanye, at designated locations.
Van Dyk, however, has strongly denied any involvement, instead accusing Marx of orchestrating the bribery scheme without his knowledge.
He claims Marx defrauded YSM through his company, Tabgha Holdings, and only after Marx was fired did he uncover fraudulent invoices and an outstanding R10 million municipal bill. Van Dyk maintains he paid the bill and a fine for tampering with essential infrastructure to ensure YSM’s continued operations.
The Hawks confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding a stolen Eskom transformer found on YSM premises. Meanwhile, ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni dismissed claims that municipal employees were bribed, insisting those allegedly involved were from a private company contracted by the municipality.
Khanye, one of the individuals accused of accepting bribes, denied any involvement, stating he left Emfuleni three years ago and has not been questioned by authorities. Another YSM employee, David Mokoteli, is expected to testify against Marx in his fraud trial but refuted claims that he participated in bribing officials.
Marx, who is already facing fraud and theft charges for allegedly siphoning YSM funds, maintains that Van Dyk masterminded the electricity scam.
Both parties have opened cases against each other, further complicating the legal battle. The case is ongoing, with Marx, his wife Henriette, and McIntyre due back in court next month. Investigations into the bribery and electricity fraud allegations continue.
