SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR R53 MILLION CITY OF TSHWANE FRAUD

PRETORIA – A 62 year old suspect is expected to appear in the Pretoria Specialized Commercial Crimes court on Thursday for alleged fraud, money laundering and corruption amounting to R53 million
The R53 million was earmarked for the National Fund for Municipality Workers (NFMW) in the City of Tshwane Municipality. The Hawks’ National Clean Audit Task Team (CATT) deployed in the City of Tshwane Municipality conducted a special operation on Wednesday and arrested the suspect for allegedly stealing the money from the City of Tshwane Municipality’s bank account on 30 August 2019.
The team worked tirelessly upon receiving the case on 03 September 2019 and last month the team conducted a search and seizure operation at the suspect’s business and residential addresses wherein several computers, cell phones and debit cards were seized. These exhibits provided more overwhelming evidence that proved that the suspect was part of a big criminal syndicate operating across provincial and international borders.
Subsequently through intensive investigations the team detected that the stolen funds were laundered into several business and relatives’ bank accounts locally and internationally. The team then successfully managed to seize and freeze several funds in certain accounts relating to the stolen R53 million.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the arrest. “I am satisfied with the speed with which the team has been able to handle this matter. This is the money that could have been used to deliver services to the people of Tshwane,” said Lieutenant General Lebeya.
More arrest are to follow as the investigation by the task team continues.