Couple In Court For Fraud And Money Laundering
A specialist engineer, Xolela Masebeni (30) and his girlfriend, Athembile Mpani (20) appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court earlier today, facing charges of theft, fraud and money laundering. Both accused were released on bail of R50 000-00 each and will be back in court on 14 March 2022 as the case was postponed for further investigations.
Their bail conditions amongst others are that they should not dispose or destroy any of the assets mentioned in their affidavits for purpose of the bail application. Masebeni is barred from entering the premises of ABSA, nor is he allowed to access their database or storage system. Furthermore, both accused are not allowed to leave the Eastern Cape without written permission from the investigating officer. The charges emanate from allegations that Masebeni siphoned R103 million from his employer, ABSA bank between September to December 2021, and transferred it into six accounts, including that of his co-accused and girlfriend, Mpani.
The alleged fraudulent transactions were uncovered by ABSA’s Forensic Division and they reported the matter to the law enforcement authorities. Their investigation alleges that Mpani accessed a Meridian system to debit the corporate business account. He was arrested by the Hawks in Queenstown on 19 January 2022 and appeared in the Queenstown Magistrates’ Court the next day. The case was then transferred to Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court as the alleged crime happened in Sandton, an area within the court’s jurisdiction. Mpani was added as a second accused on 31 January 2022.
Issued by: Phindi Mjonondwane
Regional Spokesperson- Gauteng Local Division
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