EIGHT ALLEGED FRAUDSTERS APPEARED IN COURT
LIMPOPO – Eight (8) alleged fraudsters, 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) appeared in the Makhado Magistrate Court today, 29 January 2024 facing charges of fraud.
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 one of the cash loans in Makhado.
After the applications were processed and approved, the applicants were paid over two hundred and fifty thousand rand (R250 000).
The management of the cash loan discovered the shenanigans and reported the matter to Makhado police. The case of fraud was subsequently opened and transferred to the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probe.
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) the warrants to arrest the suspects were applied and authorized. 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 they were remanded in custody until Monday, 05 February 2024 for bail application. The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects including the suspected mastermind.
