A man and a woman were arrested by the Hawks in relation to the theft of R6m that makes part of a bigger investigation where over R36m from to a deceased First National Bank (FNB) client was stolen.

The couple, aged 28 and 43-years-old, were arrested in Johannesburg on and are alleged to have received R6m from another suspect arrested for this case.

The Hawks’ provincial spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke says the couple fought over the money when the sender requested it back.

“The girlfriend opened a case of assault against her boyfriend in Johannesburg and the police discovered that the money they were fighting over was stolen and that the Limpopo Hawks were investigating the matter,” he explains.

Maluleke says R5.5m of the R6m that they had received was returned to the sender.

The sender, Thabiso Matenda was a former bank employee who was arrested on Friday (June 10) by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for allegedly stealing just under R37m belonging to a deceased client.

Matenda, a Malawian national, was based in Louis Trichardt and allegedly opened the profile of the client who had died in an accident, without authorisation.

“The accused connived with his accomplice to open a new bank account, link it to the deceased’s account and spent the money. The bank discovered the shenanigans and reported the matter to the Hawks. Some of the stolen money was allegedly donated to a church,” Maluleke says.

Matenda remains in custody after his bail was opposed.

“The couple is expected to appear before the Makhado Magistrate’s Court. Investigations continue and more arrests are expected,” Maluleke says.