The body of a man believed to be a well-known accountant from Gansbaai, who was wanted by the police in connection with fraud to the value of R10 million, was found in a hotel in Gauteng.
In response to an enquiry about the case of Hennie Ritter who was wanted by the police, Captain FC van Wyk, a police spokesperson, stated that an inquest docket had been registered after the body of a 51-year-old man was found in a hotel on Sunday afternoon.
He said: “An inquest was opened for investigation at Boksburg North after the body of a 51-year old man was discovered by cleaning personnel in a hotel room in Gauteng. He was found on Sunday afternoon with a gunshot wound.”
A warrant of arrest had been issued for Ritter, who disappeared shortly after he had reportedly been discharged from the service of Gansbaai Marine, where he had been employed as an accountant for several years.
It is alleged Ritter transferred more than R10 million from the company’s bank account to his own private account over the years.
This money, it is alleged, was used for a pilgrimage to Israel and to buy luxury vehicles, motorbikes and horses.
A search for Ritter was launched after he was reported missing on Monday 7 March. The vehicle he fled in was later found at George Airport.
According to Van Wyk a case of fraud was reported to the Gansbaai police on Tuesday.
The Managing Director of Gansbaai Marine, André Coetzee, declined to comment for fear of jeopardising the case.