Bookkeeper appears on 631 counts of fraud

Cape Town - A young woman who allegedly stole more than R800 000 from her employer made her first appearance in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court, Cape Town, on Tuesday.

Sharon Lee Conradie, 22, of Gordon’s Bay, was not asked to plead to 631 counts of fraud involving R842 831 when she appeared before Magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg.

She was arrested in February and later released on R2 000 bail.

The charge sheet states that she worked for the company Eye Q Optometrist as a frontline sales assistant, but doubled up as financial manager, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant.

She was responsible for invoicing clients, mainly schools, and for managing the accounts.

Prosecutor Zama Matayi alleges that accounts she sent to clients reflected her own bank details instead of the company's.

If an account had no bank details on it, and the client telephoned to inquire, she allegedly furnished the client with her own details.

Among the alleged victims listed on the charge sheet are Knysna High School, Nelspruit Primary School, Potchefstroom Gymnasium, Helpmekaar College, and the Houghton Golf Club.

She was warned to appear in court again on 6 November.