The accused, Funtha Abel Motaung (48) appeared before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 01 October 2021 where he faced charges of fraud.

It is alleged that during the period of July 2020 until March 2021, Motaung sold the land to the victims and failed to handover the land to the victims as promised. It was further discovered that Motaung was not the owner of the land and he was also not authorised to sell that land. As a result, the victims suffered a total loss of more than R590 000.

The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Bethlehem for further investigation which culminated to the arrest of Motaung on Friday, 01 October 2021 where he was charged.

The case was remanded to Thursday, 07 October 2021 for the case to be transferred to the regional court. The accused was granted a R5000 bail.

Source: South African Police Service