St John’s Ambulance in East London has been emptied of funds.
This was the shocking statement from RMG Forensic Services investigator David Kirstein who said his company had been hired by St the Order of John’s in January 2018 to look at St John’s’ books .
East London woman Anastasia Mariana Parkin, 51, was arrested on Friday by the Hawks for allegedly stealing R4m from the internationally-renowned first aid and healthcare training organisation.
Parkin appeared in the East London magistrate's court on Friday and was charged with theft. Hawks Eastern Cape provincial spokesperson Captain Anelisa Feni said Parkin had not pleaded.
She was released on R1,000 bail. The case was postponed to May 10 2019.
Feni said Parkin had been accused of transferring money into her own bank account in tranches over nine years.
“She was arrested on Friday by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks for alleged theft amounting to R4m and appeared before the East London magistrate’s court on the same day.
“Between the years 2010 and 2019 Parkin was employed as a finance manager at an international healthcare training organisation. It is alleged that during her tenure within the organisation, she misappropriated R4m.
“Parkin allegedly accessed the organisation’s bank account and made irregular payments by means of cheques and electronic funds transfers into her own bank account.”
Called for comment Parkin said: “I have no comment.”
The Dispatch asked for her lawyer’s contact details but added: “I have no comment at this stage, thank you,” and ended the call.
Kirstein said the NPO’s East London office based in Southernwood’s St George’s street had no money.
“We can’t pay salaries and for months we have been borrowing from other offices of St John’s based in other towns and this has a negative impact on their finances as well.”
Kirstein said he was also investigating a possibility that more money may be missing.
“There are outstanding bank statements that we are still waiting for.”
Kirstein said St John’s was owned by a foundation belonging to the English royal family started by Queen Elizabeth.
The service provides first aid training and emergency medicine and is primarily staffed by volunteers...