Second suspect in R25 million Absa fraud case remains in custody

Walter Dzulani Mashau (26) appeared in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court for a second time on 30 September and was remanded in custody until 7 October for a formal bail application.

Mashau was arrested on Friday, 26 September, at Mashau village by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, following further investigations into the case whereby an Elim Absa bank consultant had allegedly stolen R25 million from provincial government departments’ accounts.

“Mashau allegedly connived with his friend Fhatuwani Sydwell Mudzanani (27) to steal the money and transfer it to their bank accounts,” said provincial Hawks spokesperson Capt Matimba Maluleke.

Mudzanani, who is an Absa bank consultant at the Elim branch, was arrested, charged with fraud and released on R10 000 by the same court on 31 July. During his arrest, police seized four Absa ATM cards, two withdrawal slips and R2 030 cash. Mudzanani’s next court date will be on 20 October.

“The search for other possible outstanding suspect(s) is still ongoing,” said Maluleke.

Meanwhile, the Limpopo prosecutor from Thohoyandou who was arrested for corruption also appeared in court on Wednesday but in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court. Ratshilumela Leonard Makhado was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit on 15 May this year after allegedly demanding R6 000 gratification from a complainant who had been charged for reckless and negligent driving in order to withdraw the charges. “Makhado is still out on bail and his case was postponed to 30 November,” said Maluleke.

Date:01 October 2020

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