More arrests in fake cops fraud case
Some of the accused during a previous court appearance. Picture: Soraya Crowie MORE suspects, including a law enforcement officer, have been arrested in connection with a nationwide syndicate that has been accused of defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of rands.
James Chimboyo and Frank Mangaliso joined Trevor Mohapi, Andrew George, Jonas Riet, Isak Cupido and Wouter Viljoen in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when they abandoned their bail application.
These seven accused, along with Maria Martins, are facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, fraud, theft, impersonating a police official and extortion.
They could be joined by even more suspects, who are said to be part of a syndicate that has been active in various parts of South Africa, particularly in the Northern Cape, as a police manhunt continues
The two latest editions to the list of accused were arrested by members of the SAPS along the N12 earlier this week.
With two related cases, where some of the accused have also been implicated, already under way in Jan Kempdorp and Hopetown, prosecutor Cornelia Deetlefs said that additional charges were likely to be brought against the accused.
She also requested that all the trials be combined. All three matters were postponed until October 24 due to several developments in the investigation that will impact on the defence.
These include the latest arrests as well as additional charges linked to the syndicate’s activities.
Ongoing negotiations between the State and Riet have further contributed to the delay as the accused requested to be transferred to the Galeshewe police station, claiming that his co-operation with the State had placed his personal safety in jeopardy.
Riet, a pastor from Ritchie with three previous theft convictions, along with Elliot Sebuzo and Tuelo Pitso were unsuccessful in their bail application in the Jan Kempdorp Magistrate’s Court on separate, but also syndicate-related, charges of theft, impersonating a law enforcement official and kidnapping.
The trio are scheduled to return to the courtroom this morning.
Yesterday also saw Cupido, a convicted thief and fraudster, reiterate requests that the court accommodate his medical needs, stating that he had to undergo dialysis on a daily basis, which has been a problem while he has been in custody.
Two weeks ago, Andre Pillay also handed himself over before making a brief appearance in the Hopetown Magistrate’s Court. He is expected back in court this morning.
With the exception of Martins, who has been released on bail, the other accused remain in custody and have previous convictions for offences similar to the charges they are currently facing.
Mohapi has previously been found guilty of robbery and assault and also has a conviction for reckless and negligent driving.
George has also been convicted of theft, fraud and crimen injuria.
However, the list of past convictions of his co-accused pail in comparison to that of Viljoen, whose criminal record was described as “impressive” in the Pretoria High Court during an unrelated trial in 2011.
Meanwhile, the investigating officer who is looking into the syndicate, Captain Essie Esterhuizen of the provincial SAPS anti-corruption unit, has reiterated law enforcement’s request for public assistance.
Any person who believes that they might have been a victim as per this modus operandi is requested contact Captain Esterhuysen on 082 469 1813 and Warrant Officer Bongani Msuthwana on 076 911 7033.