Charges dropped against Durban pastor implicated in fraud and corruption case
The charges against Shane Pillay have been withdrawn
Image: Supplied
A Durban pastor has been cleared of all charges following his arrest in July last year.
Shane Pillay was arrested alongside Kasie Muruvan at the OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
At the time, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) stated that the pair had just landed when they were arrested on charges of fraud and corruption, following an investigation against Muruvan.
"eThekwini Workshop and Mobile (Pty) Ltd, is a subcontractor to Wesbank for repairs to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Education scholar transport buses. It is alleged that two buses that were financed by Wesbank were taken to Muruvan's workshop for repairs.
"The workshop charged an amount of R578 000 for the repairs that were scheduled for June 21, 2024. The claim was processed and paid one week later, although the repairs never took place. An investigation ensued after it came to light that the invoice was actually fraudulent," the Hawks stated.
The agency said that when investigators were alerted, they worked with Westbank investigators and approached Muruvan, who allegedly promised to pay R150 000 for the investigation to be stopped.
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"He promised to fly from Durban to ORTIA to give investigators money to this effect. Both men met with the investigators at ORTIA as arranged. He had R110 000 in cash that he handed to them, and he and Pillay were immediately arrested at one of the ORTIA restaurants and detained," the Hawks said.
However, speaking IOL, Pillay explained that he had no dealings with Muruvan's investigation or the charges against him.
Pillay explained that he met with Muruvan, in order to purchase a vehicle for his daughter.
"I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am not a businessman nor do I own businesses. I simply met with him to buy a car for my daughter," Pillay said.
After going through the whole ordeal of being arrested and appearing in court, the charges against Pillay were withdrawn.
According to his attorney, Noven Naidoo, the charges were withdrawn last month.
"The State finalised their investigations in the matter and after consideration of all the evidence the Senior Public Prosecutor came to the conclusion that that there was insufficient evidence against our client to secure a conviction," Naidoo said.
He added that the State elected to proceed with the charges against Muruvan.
Pillay said he was relieved that it was over. Did he eventually end up getting a car for his daughter? Pillay said yes he did. A Kia Picanto.
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