Boksburg accountant charged with R460m fraud gets R250,000 bail

15 December 2017 - 19:17 By Kyle Cowan
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The Boksburg home of Hildegard Steenkamp, who is accused of defrauding her former employer, the multinational medical equipment supplier Medtronic based in Midrand, of R460-million.
The Boksburg home of Hildegard Steenkamp, who is accused of defrauding her former employer, the multinational medical equipment supplier Medtronic based in Midrand, of R460-million.
Image: SAPS

The Johannesburg Special Commercial Crimes Court on Friday granted Hildegard Steenkamp‚ 43‚ accused of defrauding her former employer of R460-million in her 13 years at the company‚ R250,000 bail.

According to Hawks spokesperson Captain Carol Mulamu‚ the state had originally not planned to oppose bail but in court it emerged that Steenkamp had a recent history of suicide attempts.

“The state argued that she is potentially a danger to herself‚” Mulamu said.

The case has been postponed until 28 February.

Steenkamp’s bail conditions include that she has to hand over her travel documents‚ must inform the investigating officer if she plans to leave Johannesburg and must report to Boksburg police station three times a week.

The court has allowed Steenkamp and her husband to stay at their lavish Boksburg home‚ but the assets are under curatorship‚ which means they may not be moved‚ sold or donated.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation‚ the Hawks‚ swooped on her home early on Wednesday and seized jewellery and watches worth an estimated R12-million ‚ as well as luxury cars and motorcycles.

Mulamu said the woman was employed as an accountant at multinational medical equipment supplier Medtronic‚ based in Midrand.

She was arrested and charged with fraud‚ theft and money-laundering.

Mulamu said the woman allegedly duplicated payments to legitimate clients and service providers‚ paying money directly into her deceased husband's bank account.

"The Hawks attached the suspect's 11 luxurious vehicles‚ including three Range Rovers‚ a Porsche and motorbikes; seven immovable properties with furniture and appliances‚ and jewellery worth over R12-million‚ which was emptied from five safes in the house‚" Mulamu said.

Steenkamp’s husband died last year‚ the court heard. She remarried‚ and her new husband arrived at court wearing Louis Vuitton loafers worth an estimated R5,000.

A police official close to the investigation previously told TimesLIVE the couple travelled the world extensively.

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