BLOEMFONTEIN: The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) was granted a forfeiture order of R18 million, that was fraudulently paid into South African bank accounts by Lesotho government officials, who allegedly siphoned approximately R50 million from state coffers through a well-orchestrated scheme, in which they inflated and diverted payments meant for suppliers to themselves and their companies, which had not rendered any services to the state.

The trial against politicians, former Buffalo City Metro officials and businessmen, is scheduled to resume at the Bhisho High Court on Monday, 11 April 2022. They are charged with fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

The trial of a traditional healer from Warrenton has been adjourned to 23 June 2022, by the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Warrenton. The 77-year-old man, who at the time of the commissioning of the crime was 76 years old, was arrested in January 2021, after the child of his client accused him of rape.

The Ga-Rankuwa Magistrates’ Court postponed a case against four suspects, charged with the murder of Sam Mbatha to 17 May 2022, for further investigations and the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) decision. Arthur Khoza (19), Thato Masetla (22), Junior Modise (21) and Mahlatsi Nkuna (21), were all arrested following an intensive investigation by the police. Meanwhile, Junior Modise is still at large and a warrant for his arrest was issued and his bail revoked.

The Vryburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against 6 men accused of murder, to 11 April 2022, for further hearing. The state opted not to oppose bail as all accused addresses were verified, they are also considered not to be flight risks. Five of the accused are first time offenders and considered Schedule 5 offenders, while one has a pending case of assault and is considered a Schedule 6 offender. It has also been established that five of the offenders are still attending school.

Rabin Balmint (62) from Newlands West, was sentenced to an effective seven years imprisonment, in the Durban Magistrates’ Court after he pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and one count of VAT fraud (Value Added Tax) against the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The offences amounted to approximately R11.7 million. For the tax year 2013, Balmint submitted fictitious tax returns via e-filing for his company Kiddo Trans CC.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of Tshitso Mothesele (36), from Khutsong to 8 life terms and 195 years of direct imprisonment for rape, 8 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping, handed down by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Pretoria.  The judge said that his name should be added to the national register for sexual offenders and is declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The case of fraud and theft against Kgotso Khumalo(52), the former Executive Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality and two of his co-accused was before the Ventersdorp Regional Court for trial today. The matter had to be postponed to 04 May 2022 due to the ill health of Khumalo’s attorney, and one of his co-accused requested time to source the services of a new legal representative.

The case of fraud and theft against Kgotso Khumalo(52), the former Executive Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality and two of his co-accused was before the Ventersdorp Regional Court for trial today. The matter had to be postponed to 04 May 2022 due to the ill health of Khumalo’s attorney, and one of his co-accused requested time to source the services of a new legal representative.