Saps Commercial Crimes unit arrested a suspect, Wisani Gybon Mogale who is alleged to have defrauded three business people so far, extorting money under false pretence. He is expected to appear in Mthatha Magistrate’s Court today 29 August 2019 facing a charge of fraud and Impersonating Elundini municipality manager.
The 35 year old male suspect briefly appeared at Seshego Magistrate Court and the case was transferred to Maclear Magistrate Court yesterday, 28 August 2019 as one of the amounts was deposited in this court’s jurisdiction.
The arrest follows after the incidents that happened in May and June 2019 at Elundini Municipality in Maclear, after construction tenders for paving were advertised by this local municipality. The bids were also uploaded and advertised on the municipal website in order to be accessible to the general public.
After the closing date of the tender, the municipal manager received a call from one of the bidders alleging that there is a gentleman who is impersonating him asking for money in order issue a letter of appointment. Fortunately the bidder refused to pay the money after he was not convinced that the person he was talking to was a Elundini municipal manager. Other two (2) bidders were also conned by the same man under false pretence and they ended up paying R150 000 and R80 000 respectively. The total amount defrauded stood at R230 000.
Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Ntshinga instructed Provincial Commercial Crimes Unit to investigate the complaint and a case of impersonating and fraud was opened. Through thorough forensic investigation the suspect was linked to the crime and traced to be operating from his house in Seshego, Limpopo where police arrested him on 21 August 2019.
“Corruption and fraud within our local Municipalities do not only rob state coffers of financial resources but also deprive the general public services as money planned for service delivery is misdirected and stolen. Our Commercial Crime Unit must be commended for the good work thus far. We are looking forward to a successful prosecution and conviction, working hand in hand with the National Prosecution Authority and the courts,” said Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Liziwe Ntshinga.
