The former police constable who appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court on fraud charges on January 8 is also an accused in several rhino poaching-related cases.

According to Mpumalanga News, Thembi Aretha Mhlanga (47) is one of four accused, alongside alleged rhino poaching kingpin Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu, Claude Lubisi, and Rachel Qwebana.

In her latest legal trouble, Mhlanga was arrested with Sarel Sithole (37) after allegedly swapping a bank card belonging to a 71-year-old woman. Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane explains the incident occurred on January 3 at the Dayizenza Shopping Complex in Masoyi. “They claimed there was no network at the ATM and advised her to attempt to withdraw the money at a nearby supermarket. Once there, the victim discovered that her bank card had been swapped,” adds Ndubane.

The victim rushed to the local Sassa offices. “It was then discovered that an amount of R1 700 had already been withdrawn from her bank account,” says Ndubane. She reported the incident to the police, who traced and arrested the suspects on January 6.

Mhlanga, a former constable at Skukuza Police Station, was granted R1 000 bail, while Sithole was remanded in custody due to other pending cases. Both were scheduled to appear in the Masoyi Periodical Court yesterday, and the case was postponed to next Wednesday.

Mhlanga’s career as a police officer ended after her earlier arrest in rhino poaching-related cases.

Meanwhile, Mhlanga, Nyalungu, Lubisi, and Qwebana face over 40 counts relating to rhino poaching, illegal rhino horn sales, racketeering, money laundering, theft, fraud, corruption, and contravening the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998. They are due to appear in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court tomorrow.

Chief Clyde Mnisi and Petrus Mshengu Mabuza, who were also among the accused, were assassinated in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

*This article has been amended since it was first publish to indicate the court outcome.