By digital team
Rainbow has zero tolerance for corruption, Rainbow Chicken’s boss said following the court appearance of a former director who allegedly committed corruption amounting to R4.9 million.
“This is a legal matter and we must allow the legal processes to run their course,” said Marthinus Stander, CEO of Rainbow Chicken, when asked for comment.
On Tuesday 21 January , Jan Antonie van der Nest (56) and Johan Buitendag (49) appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court in North West. Both were released on R25 000 bail and must appear in court again on 19 February.
The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a joint statement that Van der Nest was Rainbow Farms’ Executive Head of Agriculture from 2019 to 2022. The company filed the charge against him.
According to the statement, Rainbow Farms contracted external services for continuous coal supply to efficiently manage the raising and caring for chickens and laying processes.
Van der Nest allegedly abused his position within the group to influence Rainbow Farms to enter into a contract with Bosman Droërs CC, of which Buitendag is the co-director, to supply coal to Rainbow.
Van der Nest allegedly bought a truck with two trailers and registered it under Ruton Trade and Invest (Pty) Ltd after the contract with Bosman Droërs was signed. He is allegedly the sole director of the company.
Stetner Transport (Pty) Ltd, a company of which Buitendag is also the sole director, allegedly rented the truck from Ruton to transport coal to Rainbow Farms. Ruton Trade sent monthly invoices to Stetner Transport. Stetner Transport reportedly made 134 payments of more than R4.9 million into Ruton Trade’s account.
The Hawks’ investigation also suggests that Van der Nest received compensation from Buitendag, which he then paid into his personal account.
Buitendag, Van der Nest and their respective companies face 134 corruption charges,” says Sivenathi Gunya, NPA spokesperson in North West.
“Van der Nest allegedly did not disclose any conflicts of interest or declare gifts to his employer. He also did not recuse himself from procurement processes involving his partners, as required by Rainbow Farms’ policy.”
