Moves to extradite fraud suspect

2003-05-04 21:49

Marlene Malan

Cape Town - An extradition agreement is being arranged to have a second suspect in a fraud case filed by the Trans-Hex Group brought back to South Africa.

This comes after the first suspect, a well-known figure in mining circles and brother of former Springbok rugby captain and national rugby selector, Wynand Claassen, was arrested on alleged theft, fraud and corruption charges amounting to more than R21 m.

Danie Claassen, former chief metallurgist of Trans-Hex, was arrested at Johannesburg Airport on April 25. Claassen was on his way to Perth in Australia when he was arrested.

Inspector Edward Robert Nell, investigating officer, said he has been working on the case for 14 months after Trans-Hex filed theft and fraud charges against the suspects.

The second suspect has already left the country.

Trans-Hex apparently became suspicious when another company, Offshore Engineering, filed charges of fraud and theft of R600 000 against it.

Investigations revealed irregularities that led to the charges against Claassen and the other suspect.

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- Die Burger