Man appears in Standerton Court for allegedly scamming women out of their pensions
A man appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application, facing charges of fraud, theft and illegal immigration after allegedly scamming female pensioners.
Charles Tamale, charged with fraud, theft and illegal immigration, appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application on September 22. He was arrested on September 12 while trying to leave Standerton.
Tamale allegedly targeted female pensioners under the guise of a business opportunity, using muthi to control them and forcing them to resign so he could take their money.
According to a source, the scam has been operational since last year and has targeted many women, and Tamale has allegedly stolen over R800 000 between January and August.
One victim said she had received R50 000 from her workplace, which the suspect told her to withdraw and give to him. He then allegedly told her to open a new bank account for her provident fund, to which he would have access. Fortunately, her employer rejected the new account.
The victim did not know his true identity and only discovered the fraud after finding his passport and temporary driver’s licence. After learning he was an illegal immigrant and an alleged fraudster, she opened a case.
In her statement, she said she lost over R779 000 over nine months, and could no longer care for her family because she was the sole breadwinner. After Tamale’s first appearance on September 15, the court postponed the case to September 29 for a formal bail application.
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