Three suspected fraudsters appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Selby Khoza and bank tellers Bonginkosi Praise Khoza and Winny Mashaba are accused of stealing R3 950 941 in 2016 by allegedly impersonating a bank manager and making unauthorised transactions from clients’ bank accounts.

Lowvelder reports that Khoza, also a former teller, pleaded guilty to all charges and is expected to return to court on November 13 for sentencing.

The other two accused maintained their innocence, and their bail was extended. They are expected to appear again alongside Khoza.

The arrests followed an investigation by the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, which closed the net in 2017.

The trio was charged with fraud, theft and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, and all were released on bail while investigations continued.

The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, commended the team – comprising the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Priority Crime Specialised Investigation, the Financial Intelligence Centre, bank investigators and the National Prosecuting Authority – for their professional handling of the case.

“We will ensure that justice is done for all the affected parties,” Gerber said.

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