According to a media statement issued by the Hawks, the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation secured a two-year imprisonment sentence against a 38 year old undocumented Mozambican national for fraudulent activities.

The convict, Reginaldo Alberto Nuvunga, was arrested alongside his countryman Kenneth Maoto on 22 January 2021 after they appeared before Mbibane Magistrate’s Court for the Vaalbank case.

Investigation revealed that the two allegedly used cloned bank cards to purchase diesel and refill their bowser.

The Hawks Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation acted on information received from the bank’s investigation team.

Investigations led the Hawks team to the two suspects who were already attending court in Mbibane.

Maoto was granted bail, and Nuvunga was remanded in custody until he was sentenced on Monday, July 14.

Nuvunga was sentenced to two years imprisonment, of which one year is suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the similar offence. The court further ruled that after serving his time in prison, Nuvunga must be deported to his country of origin. The bowser was also seized.

A warrant of arrest has since been issued against Maoto.

Anyone who might have information about Maoto’s whereabouts must please contact the investigating officer, Captain Jacobus Lombard on 082 521 3225. All received information will be treated as confidential, and callers may opt to remain anonymous.