EASTERN CAPE – The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya much-admired the incredible efforts made by the Mthatha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) team of the Hawks in collaboration with National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in ensuring that Mavis Ganyaza (82) appeared before Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 6 December 2023 for allegations of fraud.
On 22 January 2020, it is alleged that the complainant was involved in a mini-bus taxi accident at Sigubudwini Administrative area in Mthatha as a passenger. The allegations further indicated that the victim sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for medical assistance. The reports revealed that she approached certain attorneys that are based at Mthatha to lodge a claim with Road Accident Fund (RAF) on her behalf.
On 17 December 2021, the victim reportedly enquired about the status of her claim from the attorneys who were assisting her. Further reports indicated that the lawyers confirmed that the claim was successful and a pay-out was made to a certain bank account and the victim reportedly refuted to bear any knowledge about such a bank account.
The matter was ultimately reported to Mthatha SCCI of the Hawks for probing. The investigation revealed that the funds that were allegedly belonging to the complainant were deposited to Ganyaza, a close relative of the victim. The accused allegedly intentionally misappropriated the cash for her own benefit which resulted in the victim being prejudiced an amount of R255 000. The investigation further exposed that the accused intentionally submitted documents to the attorneys pretending to be the rightful claimant.
Ganyaza was ultimately arrested by the joint team on 6 December 2023. She appeared at Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on the same day and was later released on a warning.
The matter was remanded to 29 January 2024 for docket contents.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=50114.