FREE STATE – The accused, Xolani Skhumbuzo Nkosingiphile Shange (30), appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 22 March 2024 where he faced a charge of fraud. He was granted R8000 bail and his case was postponed to 12 April 2024 for transfer to the Bloemfontein High Court.
Shange was arrested on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 in Durban by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Durban. It is alleged that during November and December 2021, Kelebogile Tlhatlosi (27) and Gotshawanetse Mmoniemang Adora (37) both former employees of Standard Bank were working together with Shange, Brian Odora (36), Ellen Mahlulo (46), Thokiso Marvin Mosikili (35), Sthembiso Gerald Hleza (32), Michael Sayers (53), Ashley Michael Youngman (35), and Boleba Albinis Lesale (35) when they fraudulently accessed bank accounts of three clients of Standard Bank.
Several transfers were made from the three victims’ accounts without their knowledge. As a result, Standard Bank was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of more than R26 million. The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigation.
The other nine accused were arrested in December 2021, October 2022, and February 2023 and were later granted bail ranging between R500 and R10 000. Their case is still ongoing and they are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein High Court from 08 May until 27 May 2024 for trial.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=52154.