Fraud and theft charges rock West Pack founder
· Citizen
Charges of fraud and theft have been laid against West Pack founder Cris da Silva after the retailer exited business rescue in 2024, marking a sharp escalation in what has become a bitter dispute over loans, share cessions and soured business relationships.
The company bailed from business rescue after Joburg businessman Mohamed Carim settled much of its debt and stepped in to purchase the brand and its assets.
Visit een-wit.pl for more information.
However, the deal went south.
West Pack founder faces fraud and theft charges
The Citizen is investigating a series of allegations between the parties, including claims of fabricated VAT invoices, undisclosed conflicts of interest and the alleged siphoning of millions during the administrative pause through a company Suprapack.
Late last year, charges were laid against Da Silva at the Norwood police station.
ALSO READ: ‘My dream is to employ 100 people’: Lady Du as she opens another business venture
The complaint, brought by Carim, set out the basis for a criminal case linked to the broader West Pack and Petzone saga.
Carim claims he lent the retailer millions which were never repaid, allegedly as a result of multiple misrepresentations.
According to the affidavit accompanying the complaint, Carim advanced funding to Da Silva in 2023, initially secured by properties and later through the cession of shares.
Legal authority
Carim alleged Da Silva did not have the legal authority to cede those shares.
Further allegations now centre on Suprapack, a company that allegedly supplied fast-moving consumer goods to Crespo Investments, a special purpose vehicle established by Carim to support West Pack Lifestyle’s liquidity during business rescue.
ALSO READ: ‘I am never giving up on my business’: Inno Matijane cushions the blow after customer order backlash
Carim alleged that Suprapack issued VAT invoices to Crespo that were internally signed off by a procurement manager who was also allegedly a director of Suprapack, which he described an undeclared conflict of interest.
Carim’s camp further alleged that the two directors of Suprapack were directly linked to WestPack and Petzone operations and were “fronting” for Da Silva.
An interim audit conducted by Carim’s accounting team allegedly identified about R16 million in what were described as suspicious transactions involving Suprapack.
Not VAT registered
The affidavit alleged VAT charged on Suprapack invoices was allegedly unlawful, as it was not VAT registered.
The Citizen has seen copies of some invoices. No VAT number appears on them, though VAT is reflected and calculated.
ALSO READ: Nelisiwe Sikhosana’s journey from being a cop to a power woman
IRS Forensic Investigations’ Chad Thomas, who acts for Carim, confirmed a report was filed with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Da Silva’s attorneys, Smit Sewgoolam Inc, declined to respond.
The firm confirmed it represents Da Silva but said it does “not intend to address the questions”.
Investigations ongoing
It added its failure to respond “should not be construed as an admission of any sort”.
The Citizen’s investigations are ongoing.