OF&A :: Humble Beginnings

Humble Beginnings

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO A RESPECTED COMPANY

Ockie launched OF&A after a 13 year career in the Criminal Investigation Department of the South African Police, specializing in commercial and financial crime. He then worked for a leading commercial and industrial bank.

Ockie explains his rationale behind launching OF&A, "I realized there was room for a sophisticated, highly qualified forensic investigation practice. Companies required discreet, reliable investigators with a solid knowledge of the financial and commercial intricacies involved in solving their cases. I was convinced I could provide such a service."

Ockie believes a good reputation based on experience, qualifications and sound knowledge is the secret of his success. He places great emphasis on academic qualifications, demanding that investigators are qualified or currently studying towards a qualification. He made comments, "I believe my law degree has put clients at ease and helped me understand the industry I'm working in. They feel comfortable with someone who speaks their language and won't be baffled by the complex terms."

However, Ockie emphasizes that no academic qualifications can replace the instinct required to be a good investigator.

He describes it as "mental energy" - someone with an enquiring mind and a will to succeed.

His mentor installed the belief of, "never give up and always persevere".

Ockie mentions the case of a very wealthy woman who has used OF&A over the years to do background checks on her daughter's boyfriends.

OF&A provide a variety of services including truth verifications tests, surveillance, gathering legal information, insurance investigations and uncovering financial and commercial corporate crimes. Although the company considers itself to be a specialist in all its services, most of its business involves Fraud cases.

Ockie comments, "This is a very exiting career. No two days or two cases are the same, every case has new demands and is challenging in its own merits. We use the knowledge we have gained to render and ever better service to our clients."