13/07/2025
72-Year-Old Woman in Dock Over R1.3 Million Northern Cape Mining Rights Scam
DOUGLAS – A 72-year-old woman has landed in the middle of a multi-million-rand fraud scandal tied to the alleged sale of bogus mining rights in the Northern Cape.
Rossyln Crossingham briefly appeared in the Douglas Magistrate’s Court this week on charges of fraud, with theft listed as an alternative count.
Crossingham was arrested on 9 July by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, who allege she played a central role in a scheme dating back over a decade.
“It is alleged that in 2012, the accused, as a co-director of Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd, withdrew an application to renew the company’s prospecting mining rights lodged with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE),” said Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi.
By 2015, Crossingham and her fellow directors allegedly resolved to sell the company and the now-withdrawn prospecting rights to a well-known Northern Cape businessman for R100,000.
But, according to Mnisi, Crossingham instead turned around and sold the company to another buyer — the current complainant — without disclosing that the prospecting rights had been withdrawn.
“She withheld the withdrawal letter, creating the impression that the prospecting rights were still valid,” Mnisi explained. “The complainant proceeded with the purchase and paid R1,368,000.”
After the deal, R100,000 was allegedly funnelled into a personal account belonging to one of Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd’s directors.
Mnisi said the scheme ultimately left the complainant out of pocket to the tune of over R1.3 million.
Crossingham was granted R15,000 bail. The matter has been postponed to 5 August for further investigation.
Warrant Officer Mnisi confirmed that further arrests are expected as the Hawks continue to probe the elaborate fraud.