Lifa Nxumalo (29), a former sales consultant at a commercial bank, was convicted of two counts of fraud by the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.

The conviction followed an intensive investigation by the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit.

In August 2018, Nxumalo processed two personal loans to the amount of R228 207, by submitting false payslips and bank statements. The application was approved and paid out an amount of R100 000, which was transferred to his personal bank account.

The fraud emerged during an internal audit. A case was opened and transferred to the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit for investigation.

An arrest warrant was authorised and executed and Nxumalo made his first court appearance on June 6, 2022, in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court.

His bail was extended and he is due to appear in court on October 20 for sentencing.