Kelly Group’s business development director, Connie Motshumi, plans to call on the company to withdraw its fraud charges against her or risk facing legal charges of its own, a source close to the company says.

The source, who has asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitive nature of the situation, says Motshumi’s legal team met with Kelly Group’s lawyers yesterday to discuss the charges that have been levelled against her.

Motshumi has declined to comment on the matter.

The charges apparently relate to travel expenses that the group says she inflated. But it’s understood the amount being disputed is less than R150.

It appears Kelly’s chairman, Moss Ngoasheng, was present at yesterday’s hearing. However, it’s unclear whether he actively participated in the meeting.

According to the source, Motshumi defended defend her case, referring to GPS logs to prove her business mileage.

It’s understood the meeting was adjourned without conclusion and the parties will meet again later this month.

The source says Motshumi will ask that the charges against her be dropped. If they aren’t legal action may follow.

Motshumi was apparently hired by Kelly Group’s ousted deputy CEO, Mthunzi Mdwaba, who was stripped of his position on the board and suspending pending an investigation. Mdwaba’s suspension was lifted days later.

Mdwaba, a well-known personality in the IT industry, also heads up Kelly’s technology training business, Torque-IT.

Lumka Gallant, another executive recruited by Mwaba, was also accused of defrauding the business and is defending the case. — Candice Jones, TechCentral