[South Africa] Isuzu payroll administrator’s alleged R10.5m fraud scheme

In South Africa, an alleged fraud scheme at Isuzu Motors SA has led to the arrest of a payroll administrator accused of siphoning off more than R10.5 million between January 1, 2018, and August 22, 2024, The Herald reports.

Natasja Slabbert (42) appeared in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on February 16, facing charges of fraud and theft. 

Ms Slabbert was initially responsible for administering Isuzu’s weekly payroll, according to court papers. From April 30 2024, she was also tasked with administering monthly payrolls.

Court papers state that Ms Slabbert had authorised access to the Payspace payroll system and the NUTUN Transact Ltd third-party payment system, which would reportedly have allowed her to prepare, alter and submit payroll and payment information, triggering payments directly from Isuzu’s bank accounts.

“The accused was the only payroll administrator at Isuzu who had the NUTUN system installed on her work-issued laptop during the relevant period,” court papers state.

Ms Slabbert reportedly had two bank accounts registered in her name where she allegedly deposited the funds.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), “the Hawks”, is the branch of the South African Police Service which investigates organised crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime. 

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba stated that employees raised concerns in August 2024 after noticing that their take-home pay was lower than expected, despite higher amounts being recorded on their payslips. 

“This prompted an internal review of the August 2024 payroll, during which an irregular payment in the amount of R625,500 was identified as having been processed from Isuzu’s Absa payroll bank account into a bank account [allegedly] held in the name of the accused,” Mr Fumba said.

“The identification of this [alleged] irregular payment led to a broader investigation into the accused’s payroll and third-party payment activities.

“The investigation revealed that the accused [allegedly] devised a scheme to conceal unlawful payments by exploiting Isuzu’s third-party payment process.

“She [allegedly] caused inflated and duplicated amounts to be paid by Isuzu to its third-party payment service provider, NUTUN, and under the appearance of legitimate payroll-related deductions and contributions.

“Once those funds were received by NUTUN, the accused, who had access to and control over the NUTUN payment system, [allegedly] caused the funds to be paid out to bank accounts in her name, thereby disguising personal payments as third-party transactions.”

Isuzu reportedly suffered losses exceeding R10.5m. The company dismissed Ms Slabbert.

Mr Fumba said the Hawks had adopted an intelligence-driven approach and secured evidence to uncover the full extent of the incident before effecting the arrest.

Hawks Eastern Cape head Major-General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya issued a strong warning that commercial crimes were not victimless crimes.

“It affects workers, damages businesses and harms our economy.

“People who abuse positions of trust to steal money will face the full force of the law.”

Nandi Matomela - Isuzu Motors SA brand strategy and field marketing senior manager - said the matter was identified and addressed through internal disciplinary procedures in 2024 in line with company policy.

“Following the conclusion of this process, the employee’s services were terminated in early 2025, and the internal matter was formally closed.

“The case was reported to the police and is being pursued as a criminal matter.”

Source: The Herald

(Quotes via original reporting)

In South Africa, an alleged fraud scheme at Isuzu Motors SA has led to the arrest of a payroll administrator accused of siphoning off more than R10.5 million between January 1, 2018, and August 22, 2024, The Herald reports.

Natasja Slabbert (42) appeared in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on February 16, facing charges of fraud and theft. 

Ms Slabbert was initially responsible for administering Isuzu’s weekly payroll, according to court papers. From April 30 2024, she was also tasked with administering monthly payrolls.

Court papers state that Ms Slabbert had authorised access to the Payspace payroll system and the NUTUN Transact Ltd third-party payment system, which would reportedly have allowed her to prepare, alter and submit payroll and payment information, triggering payments directly from Isuzu’s bank accounts.

“The accused was the only payroll administrator at Isuzu who had the NUTUN system installed on her work-issued laptop during the relevant period,” court papers state.

Ms Slabbert reportedly had two bank accounts registered in her name where she allegedly deposited the funds.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), “the Hawks”, is the branch of the South African Police Service which investigates organised crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime. 

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba stated that employees raised concerns in August 2024 after noticing that their take-home pay was lower than expected, despite higher amounts being recorded on their payslips. 

“This prompted an internal review of the August 2024 payroll, during which an irregular payment in the amount of R625,500 was identified as having been processed from Isuzu’s Absa payroll bank account into a bank account [allegedly] held in the name of the accused,” Mr Fumba said.

“The identification of this [alleged] irregular payment led to a broader investigation into the accused’s payroll and third-party payment activities.

“The investigation revealed that the accused [allegedly] devised a scheme to conceal unlawful payments by exploiting Isuzu’s third-party payment process.

“She [allegedly] caused inflated and duplicated amounts to be paid by Isuzu to its third-party payment service provider, NUTUN, and under the appearance of legitimate payroll-related deductions and contributions.

“Once those funds were received by NUTUN, the accused, who had access to and control over the NUTUN payment system, [allegedly] caused the funds to be paid out to bank accounts in her name, thereby disguising personal payments as third-party transactions.”

Isuzu reportedly suffered losses exceeding R10.5m. The company dismissed Ms Slabbert.

Mr Fumba said the Hawks had adopted an intelligence-driven approach and secured evidence to uncover the full extent of the incident before effecting the arrest.

Hawks Eastern Cape head Major-General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya issued a strong warning that commercial crimes were not victimless crimes.

“It affects workers, damages businesses and harms our economy.

“People who abuse positions of trust to steal money will face the full force of the law.”

Nandi Matomela - Isuzu Motors SA brand strategy and field marketing senior manager - said the matter was identified and addressed through internal disciplinary procedures in 2024 in line with company policy.

“Following the conclusion of this process, the employee’s services were terminated in early 2025, and the internal matter was formally closed.

“The case was reported to the police and is being pursued as a criminal matter.”

Source: The Herald

(Quotes via original reporting)