A 64-year-old woman appeared in the East London Magistrates Court on Friday on 15 counts of fraud.
Carol Gower is accused of defrauding Saffron Family Kitchen of between R500,000 to R600,000 during her six-month tenure as general manager in 2022.
Gower coordinated functions, handled cash payments, paid suppliers, and balanced the books as part of her duties.
According to the charge sheet, she allegedly manipulated invoices, voided transactions, and pocketed cash, while also misusing restaurant stock for personal gain.
The State alleges she often failed to hand over full cash payments to the owner or bookkeeper.
Additionally, Gower reportedly used her credit card to pay for orders, voided the transactions, and kept the items.
The charge sheet also states she voided so many transactions in certain months that the restaurant recorded negative sales on some days.
Further allegations include misrepresenting the restaurant’s banking details and email address to accept event bookings and payments.
Fourteen clients allegedly paid R51 883.70 into her personal bank account.
Gower missed a trial date earlier this month.
She submitted a sick note without a supporting medical report.
Magistrate Sadia Jacobs raised concerns over her history of non-attendance and warned against further delays.
Her trial is now scheduled for May 7 and 8.
She remains out on bail.
