Christopher Stylianou (58) appeared briefly in the Port Alfred Magistrates Court on the morning of 13 April 2021, on a charge of Fraud.
On 26 March 2020 during the Lockdown, the suspect teamed up with two others in Port Alfred to raise funds for food parcels. The first donation received was from a local foundation to the sum of R10 000-00.
A non-profit company called Ndlambe Lockdown Support Group was opened by the suspect who was in possession of the Bank Card.
Sponsorships and donations were received from reputable organisations and the community and paid into the Bank Account.
When the lockdown rules were relaxed, and donations with the food parcels quietened, the suspect announced that funds was drying up. A meeting was called and Bank Statements were requested from the suspect as he was the treasurer. The account was frozen until the discrepancies regarding the finances were sorted.
During the investigation, it was established that nearly R400 000 was deposited and less than a quarter of the money was used for its intended purpose, namely food parcels and gardening drums.
The suspect was released on R3000-00 bail.
The case was postponed to 7 June 2021 for the suspect to obtain legal representation.
