RAINBOW FARMS DEFRAUDED OF OVER R4.9 MILLION

Rustenburg – In a shocking development, two businessmen, Johan Buitendag (49) and Jan Antonie van der Nest (56), along with their companies, have been charged with corruption amounting to over R4.9 million. The duo appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, facing 134 charges of corruption.

Van Der Nest, a former agricultural executive at Rainbow Farms from 2019 to 2022, is accused of leveraging his position to influence procurement decisions. According to warrant officer Amogelang Malwetse, North West Hawks spokesperson, Van Der Nest orchestrated a contract for coal supply services with Bosman Droeers CC, a company co-directed by his associate, Johan Buitendag. This move displaced Rainbow Farms’ existing supplier under the guise of cost-effectiveness.

COMPLEX WEB OF DECEIT 
Soon after securing the contract, Van Der Nest purchased a truck with two side tipper trailers, registering them under Ruton Trade and Invest (Pty) LTD, his sole proprietorship. The truck was then rented out to Stetner Transport (Pty) LTD, a company solely directed by Buitendag, and used to transport coal to Rainbow Farms.

Investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit revealed that Ruton Trade and Invest invoiced Stetner Transport monthly for truck usage. This arrangement led to 134 payments totalling over R4.9 million, a financial blow borne by Rainbow Farms. Additionally, Van Der Nest allegedly received personal gratification payments from Buitendag.

POLICY BREACHES AND LEGAL CONSEQUENCES 
The investigation uncovered that Van Der Nest failed to disclose conflicts of interest, declare gifts, or recuse himself from procurement processes involving his associates, violating Rainbow Farms’ policies.

Both men, along with their implicated companies, were released on R25,000 bail each. The case has been postponed to 19 February 2025 for further disclosure.

COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE 
Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, North West acting provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), and Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their dedication to eradicating corruption.