Overdraft increased: Standard Bank IT specialist back in court, accused of R1.9 million theft
Vivian Brink
Image: Supplied
A former bank employee accused of stealing more than R1.9 million from his employer is set to return to court today, after he was released on bail in January, following his first court appearance.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said Vivian Brink, 60, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on January 13, 2026, after his arrest a day earlier at his place of residence in Rosettenville.
Brink was arrested on January 12, 2026, on charges of theft and fraud.
According to the Hawks, the alleged offences occurred between January 2014 and November 2017, when Brink was employed as an IT operator at Standard Bank.
“It is alleged that between January 2014 and November 2017, the suspect, who was employed by Standard Bank as an IT operator, manipulated the system on his bank account by increasing the overdraft for his personal gain, and as a result his employer suffered an actual loss of over R1.9 million,” said Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela.
In January, Brink was released on R5,000 during his first court appearance. The matter was postponed to February 3, 2026, and was remanded to the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The Hawks said investigations into the matter are continuing.
Last year, IOL reported that a 38-year-old former bank employee, Rachel Tsakani Bloko, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court after being arrested for fraud involving more than R130,000.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said Bloko allegedly siphoned the money by fraudulently applying for loans in the names of unsuspecting clients.
“The suspect allegedly used the personal credentials of bank clients without their knowledge to apply for personal loans for herself. The victims only became aware of the loans after the bank informed them of unsettled accounts,” Mashaba said at the time.
A warrant of arrest was issued, and Bloko was taken into custody. The case was investigated by the provincial commercial crime investigation unit.
She appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was granted R5,000 bail.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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