‘Military’ scammer appears in court
CLAIMED TO BE RECRUITING FOR SANDF Man who called himself ‘General’ offered recruits training at Pretoria ‘army camp’.
Hundreds of young hopefuls were delighted to have been saved from what they called “hell” after a man claiming to be recruiting them for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) scammed them for months.
Petrus Ndaba, 55, who referred to himself as “General”, appeared before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning on charges of theft under false pretences for housing close to 300 people in a four-bedroomed, rented house in Karenpark, Pretoria.
The former SANDF employee travelled to KwaZulu-Natal to re- cruit young unemployed men and women.
He offered military training at an “army camp” in Pretoria. However, he charged them for staying in a house he was renting, telling them to pay close to R1 000 for a military uniform and a further R150 per month for food.
The matter was postponed to next Wednesday for a formal bail application.
Kate Msomi, owner of the house, was distraught when walking through her home yesterday, pointing out the dilapidated property, which was once a “beautiful entertainment home”.
“This man rented my house turned it into a mess. He failed to pay rent for the last three months,” she said.
“I’m happy he was caught. He must rot in hell,” said one of his victims, who wanted to remain anonymous.