Parolee accused of posing as Hawks boss denied bail
A 41-year-old man who allegedly conned Pretoria victims while pretending to be a top police official will remain behind bars after the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court ruled his release would not serve the interests of justice.
The Hatfield Magistrate’s Court has denied bail to a 41-year-old man, who has been identified as a parolee.
Thabo Enoch Theletsane (41) is facing charges of fraud and impersonating a police official.
Theletsane had allegedly conned two Pretoria victims while impersonating a Hawks boss.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the case has been postponed to September 2 for transfer to Court 16 at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on October 25, 2024, while out on parole for a previous fraud conviction, Theletsane contacted a prominent businessman via WhatsApp using a profile picture of former Hawks boss Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
“During the conversation, he allegedly claimed his phone had been hacked and that the businessman would be contacted by a ‘Mr. Mokoena’, supposedly a cybercrime unit officer,” said Mahanjana.
Mahanjana said that posing as ‘Mr. Mokoena’, Theletsane allegedly told the businessman that his phone had been hacked and requested frequently used contact numbers.
She added that he is accused of later contacting another person using those numbers, demanding R50 000 for a hard drive to ‘store’ their information.
Mahanjana stated that the complainant reportedly paid the amount, while the other person initially refused.
“Both later opened fraud cases on November 1, 2024. Following an investigation, Theletsane was arrested on May 10.”
She said in his bail bid, Theletsane claimed he had seven children and another on the way, adding that the parole board might reconsider revoking his parole if he were granted bail.
However, prosecutor Dikeledi Moganyaka opposed the application, citing an affidavit from investigating officer Mpho Phantinah Dlamini.
Dlamini alleged that the accused gave a false address during the investigation, has two prior convictions for fraud and forgery from 2020, and is likely to reoffend if released.
The magistrate agreed, noting that Theletsane allegedly committed the new offences only days after being released on parole, and that releasing him would be in the interest of justice.
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