Absa man up for R25m

A Limpopo Absa consultant has been arrested by the Hawks after he allegedly stole more than R25 million from several Limpopo provincial government departments.

The official was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Team, following an investigation which also involved forensics investigators from the man’s employer.

The alleged fraud took place at different times and dates when the suspect was attached to the Absa branch in Elim, outside Makhado.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said the money was allegedly deposited into different accounts that the man had opened in recent months.

Limpopo premier spokesperson Kenny Mathivha said early reports indicated that the departments involved were the provincial treasury, and education and social development departments. He said more could have been involved.

Mathivha said a provincial investigation had intervened to stop a payment of R8.5 million minutes before it happened.

“Our preliminary investigations revealed that there was also no government official involved in the scam. We would like to inform the people of Limpopo that the government is watching this case closely and any development on the matter will be made public as this involves a public purse,” said Mathivha.

“We cannot allow a situation where thugs steal our money, especially at the time the province urgently needs money to address a number of things, including Covid-19-related programmes.”

The suspect will appear in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court today.