Eight alleged fraudsters appeared in the Makhado Magistrate Court on Monday.

Between June and September 2019, the accused allegedly used fraudulent bank statements and Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) letters to apply for personal loans at a cash loans business in Makhado.

‘After the applications were processed and approved, the applicants were paid over R250 000. The management of the cash loan business discovered the shenanigans and reported the matter to the Makhado police,’ said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

The case of fraud was subsequently opened and transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probing.

The Hawks’ investigations established that the accused were recruited by an outstanding suspect believed to be the mastermind.

After the case was thoroughly investigated in consultation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) – warrants to arrest the suspects were applied for and authorised.

The accused are:
Loba Mathonsi (52), Shogole Ramaisile (48), Johanna Ramodike (40), Winnie Molala (39), Raesibe Masopogo (38), Merriam Kekana (54), Oniky Morema (39) and Refiloe Ramokolo (28)

Between 28 and 29 January 2024, the accused were successfully traced and arrested in different areas around Lebowakgomo.

The accused were brought before the court and remanded in custody until Monday, 05 February 2024 for bail application.

The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects, including the suspected mastermind.

Source: South African Government News Agency