September 21, 2026 – Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:56
Fraud can occur anywhere, including within the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It may involve false claims, misuse of resources, procurement irregularities, or other deceptive activities resulting in personal gain. When fraud goes unchecked, it can cause financial losses, damage public trust, and compromise Defence programs.
The Fraud Risk Management Program (FRMP) (accessible only on the National Defence network) works proactively to detect, prevent, and reduce fraud risks across DND/CAF through data analytics, fraud risk assessments, awareness training, and other outreach efforts. However, preventing fraud relies on more than policies, controls, and technology.
Every Defence Team member plays an important role in protecting public resources and maintaining the trust Canadians…
THE ISUZU MOTORS PAYROLL FRAUD (GQEBERHA, SA)
Date: February 16, 2026 Perpetrator: Natasja Slabbert (42)
Case Description: In a case that hit home for the Eastern Cape business community, Natasja Slabbert, a payroll administrator at Isuzu Motors South Africa’s Struandale plant, was arrested for an alleged R10.5 million fraud. The scheme, which began surfacing in late 2024, exploited the very systems designed to manage employee compensation. Slabbert allegedly manipulated payroll records to create false entries that appeared as legitimate deductions and contributions on employee payslips. In reality, these “deductions” were being diverted into her personal bank account.
The fraud was only uncovered after diligent employees noticed that their net “take-home” pay was significantly lower than expected, despite the gross amounts on their payslips remaining high. Following a thorough probe by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team and the NPA’s Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, it was discovered that in August 2024 alone, over R626,000 was unlawfully transferred. Slabbert was granted bail of R5,000 on February 17, 2026, and the case has been postponed to later in the month for further legal proceedings. This case highlights the critical need for “segregation of duties” in payroll departments, as a single point of failure allowed for the systematic siphoning of millions over nearly two years.
Link to Original: PE Express – Isuzu Payroll Fraud