More accused added in church fraud matter

Department of Education official and Richards Bay Pastor appear in court on fraud charges

2 hours ago

Conelia Harry 1 minute read

Richards Bay Magistrate's Court PHOTO: Supplied

A third accused has been added to the fraud case involving a Richards Bay pastor and a Department of Education (DoE) official.

Appearing in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Trevor Isaac, a member of Living Stones Baptist Church, was formally added to the matter involving Pastor Adriel ‘Alvin’ Abraham (52) and DoE official Silvanus Ramulu. The trio faces charges relating to fraud, forgery and uttering.

According to the charge sheet, the allegations stem from events between April and June 2025 in which Abraham allegedly fraudulently represented that he possessed the necessary theological qualifications and ministerial accreditation, despite allegedly being unable to produce the required credentials.

The alleged misrepresentation is said to have enabled him to secure a position at Living Stones Baptist Church with a monthly salary of R32 000.

The State alleges that the accused unlawfully and intentionally defrauded the church by submitting a fraudulent ministry résumé claiming Abraham held full accreditation as a minister.

Trevor Isaac faces a charge of fraud. According to the charge sheet, he unlawfully and intentionally defrauded Living Stones Baptist Church by reading a falsified and fraudulent SAQA validation email of Pastor Abraham holding a theological degree, allegedly sent by co-accused Silvanus Ramulu.

It is alleged that the reading of the email induced the church quorum to vote in favour of appointing Abraham as pastor while Isaac knew Abraham had not produced the required supporting documentation to verify the qualifications and accreditation referred to in the email.

According to the charge sheet, Ramulu allegedly maintained that the email was intended for Trevor Isaac’s personal use.

The matter was postponed to allow the defence to file its disclosures by Friday, 7 August.

The State is expected to submit its disclosures by Friday, 14 August, while representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions must be filed by Friday, 4 September.

The case will return to the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 5 October.

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