GQEBERHA – A man, Sidney George Gowar (41), who was implicated in a protracted fraud scheme involving the Diaz Club, was convicted and sentenced by the Gqeberha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) under the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) yesterday, 26 November.
The arrest symbolises a substantial breakthrough in the fight against financial crimes following the arrest, conviction, and sentencing of Gowar, who pleaded guilty immediately.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the matter originated from allegations that Gowar, who served as Treasurer of the Diaz Club, systematically abused his position of trust over a period of three years.
In concealing his fraudulent conduct, the accused ensured that sufficient funds remained in the club’s account to sustain municipal and operational obligations, preventing the instant detection of the financial discrepancies.
He added that a case docket was opened, and the matter was handed over to the Hawks for immediate probing.
“Investigations established that Gowar unlawfully transferred funds from the club’s bank account into his personal accounts, thereby misappropriating club finances for his own benefit,” Mhlakuvana said, with Diaz Club losing R890 000.
Gowar voluntarily reported to the offices of the Hawks yesterday, 26 November, where he was formally arrested and charged.
“Gowar appeared before the Gqeberha New Law Courts, Regional Court, where he elected to plead guilty on a single count of fraud.”
Mhlakuvana added that Gowar was sentenced to six years of direct imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that he is not convicted of theft or fraud during the period of suspension.
“Gowar was also ordered to perform sixteen (16) hours of community service per month at Kabega Park SAPS, undertaking general cleaning duties for the duration of the sentence,” he said.
Additionally, the court ordered Gowar to repay R696 359.52 to Diaz Club, with an initial payment of R150 000 due on or before 30 November 2025. “The remaining balance he was ordered to pay in monthly instalments of R15 000, by the 7th day of each month, until the full amount is settled. In addition, the accused has been declared unfit to possess a firearm,” Mhlakuvana concluded.
