Fraud and Illegal Diamond Trading Case Against Mervyn Casterns and Seven Others Delayed
Johannesburg – The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court has postponed the case involving fraud and illicit diamond trading against Mervyn Casterns and seven other defendants.
Mervyn Casterns, the CEO of the Alexkor RMC Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV), along with Daniel Nathan, his company Alexander Bay Diamond Company (Pty) Ltd, Kubentheran Moodley, Martha Rapetsoa, Roslyn Crossingham, Raygen Phillips, and Zarina Prasadh, are facing charges related to fraud and violations under the Diamonds Act.
The allegations stem from two diamond marketing tenders awarded to SSI in 2015 and 2016, which granted SSI exclusive rights to market and sell all diamonds produced by the PSJV, a collaboration between Alexkor SOC and the Richtersveld Community.
SSI is accused of acquiring all unpolished diamonds produced by the PSJV and selling them on its behalf.
It is alleged that numerous individuals and related entities managed to obtain unpolished diamonds from sales conducted by SSI for the PSJV over an extended period exceeding five years.
The Alexkor investigation, carried out by the Investigating Directorate against Corruption (IDAC), is a result of findings from the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud within the Public Sector, including state entities.
All defendants appeared in court on Thursday, 21 August 2025.
IDAC Spokesperson Henry Mamothame mentioned: “Three of the defendants, Daniel Nathan, Martha Rapetsoa, and Kubentheran Moodley, have indicated their intention to file motions to ease their bail conditions.”
The bail hearings are set for 9 September 2025.
Meanwhile, Zarina Prasadh (formerly Kellerman) was arrested on Monday, 18 August 2025, and appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
The State opposed bail.
After deliberation, bail was set at R50 000, subject to strict conditions.
Prasadh was due to appear with the other defendants on Thursday, 21 August 2025; however, her attorney informed the court that she had been hospitalized.
“A warrant for her arrest was issued, but its execution has been deferred until 4 September 2025, when she is expected to appear before the court,” Mamothame clarified.