Fraud charges follow R100,000 loan scandal involving Limpopo woman
Image: Supplied
The Gravelotte Magistrate's Court in Limpopo has granted bail to 42-year-old Rose Lekhanya, who was arrested on fraud charges.
Lekhanya, facing allegations of defrauding her employer, was released on bail set at R10,000, with her case now postponed until September to allow for further police investigations.
Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks, said Lekhanya was arrested by the Phalaborwa-based Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit on allegations of fraud amounting to around R100,000.
Rose Lekhanya was released on R10,000 bail by the Gravelotte Magistrate's Court in Limpopo after she was arrested by the Hawks on charges of fraud.
Image: Hawks
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
'During 2018, the suspect was working in the office of human resources executive of a mine in Gravelotte. She allegedly borrowed money from the employer under the pretense that her mother was admitted to the private hospital, and she has run out of money for payments,' said Mmuroa.
Lekhanya allegedly submitted hospital documents to the employer as proof that she needed the funds.
'The mine allegedly loaned her cash amounting to over R99 000. The suspect failed to pay back money until she resigned from the mine,' said Mmuroa.
The mine later launched investigations and discovered that Lekhanya's mother was never admitted to the hospital.
'Subsequently, a case docket of fraud was opened at Gravelotte police station, and transferred to the Phalaborwa-based Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,' said Mmuroa.
The Hawks investigations established that Lekhanya had submitted fraudulent hospital documents to the mine, in a bid to get the loan.
After completion of the investigations, the matter was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for decision. As a result, the NPA issued a warrant of arrest against Lekhanya.
The woman was traced and arrested by the Hawks in Honeydew, Gauteng, on Thursday last week.
Lekhanya appeared before the Gravelotte Magistrate's Court, where her case was postponed to 15 September.
Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender welcomed Lekhanya's arrest.
Govender also appealed to employers to be vigilant when dealing with external documents brought by employees.
On Tuesday, IOL reported that a 27-year-old Limpopo man, Jason Khomotjo Rantho, was remanded behind bars after he was arrested by the Hawks for fraud during the purchase of a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor.
It is alleged that during April 2023, suspects including Jason Khomotjo Rantho applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank using fraudulent documents to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued over R1.3 million
Image: Hawks
Rantho initially appeared in court on Monday after he was nabbed by the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo.
'It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million.
'The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,' said Mmuroa.
'The application was processed and approved.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Panado and R35,000 missing: Edenvale raid leads to arrest of 10 police officers
Ten members from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) are expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Police in Gauteng arrested their colleagues on Monday while they were on duty on charges of theft and corruption. The arrests follow a raid in June. The spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Lizzy Suping, said the arrested officers were involved in a multi-disciplinary operation by law enforcement initiated by the Premier of Gauteng. 'The accused officers raided a shop at number 7 Hermila Avenue in Edenvale, where they seized cigarettes and took cash amounting to R35,000 and three packs of headache tablets (Panados) to the value of about R5,000. They arrested the cashier for trading in illicit cigarettes and the other employee for violating immigration rules,' Suping said. However, the officers failed to record all items in evidence. 'It is also alleged that the accused officers failed to record all the merchandise seized from the shop at the police station. The shop manager allegedly disputed the quantity and type of merchandise booked in the occurrence book to the Station Commander,' Suping said. Ipid confirmed that of the arrested officers, one has the rank of sergeant while the rest are constables. [email protected] IOL
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Ten SAPS, EMPD officers in court for fraud and corruption
Ten South African Police Service and Ekurhuleni metropolitan police officers were arrested while on duty on Monday for their alleged role in corruption and fraud. They are expected to appear in the Germiston magistrate's court on Tuesday. 'It is alleged that on June 4 during a multidisciplinary operation by law enforcement, the accused officers raided a shop in Edenvale where they seized cigarettes and took R35,000 in cash and three packs of headache tablets to the value of about R5,000,' Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Lizzy Suping said. The nine constables and a sergeant arrested the cashier for trading in illicit cigarettes and another employee for violating immigration laws. 'It is also alleged that the accused officers failed to record all the merchandise seized from the shop at the police station. The shop manager disputed the quantity and type of merchandise booked in the occurrence book to the station commander.'
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Allegations of quota-driven traffic fines raise concerns among Joburg motorists
Allegations emerge that JMPD enforces R7,000 daily fine targets, turning policing into a cash grab. The DA demands Premier Lesufi end revenue-based policing and restore public trust. Image: X Motorists in Johannesburg are increasingly becoming cash cows for the city, as alarming allegations emerged that Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers are being pressured to issue a minimum of R7 000 in traffic fines per day. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the alleged quota system, denouncing it as both unethical and unlawful political interference. The party is calling on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to urgently eliminate all revenue-driven policing targets and reinstate integrity within law enforcement. Michael Sun, DA spokesperson for Community Safety, said JMPD officers are being incentivised with overtime pay, turning law enforcement into a money-making exercise instead of focusing on public safety. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'To incentivise compliance with these targets, officers are reportedly provided with overtime payments, effectively transforming law enforcement into a commission-based revenue scheme. This pushes JMPD officers to aggressively pursue fines instead of focusing on their duties, such as bylaw enforcement, traffic management, and crime prevention.' He added that these concerning claims align with the growing trend of JMPD conducting excessive and random roadblocks at busy intersections, not for public safety, but to boost fine collection. 'Many of these operations are non-compliant with the National Road Traffic Act and SAPS Standing Orders. By reclassifying illegal roadblocks as 'roadside checks', JMPD evades crucial legal requirements, including proper authorisation by a senior officer, clear signage, adequate warning to motorists, among others,' Sun added. Responding to the allegations, JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla dismissed the DA's claims as false, stating: 'The JMPD would like to emphasise that our enforcement operations are conducted with the primary goal of maintaining safety and order on the city's roads.' He added that issuing citations is a normal part of an officer's duty when motorists violate traffic laws, describing it as a necessary step to curb lawlessness and encourage responsible driving. However, he firmly denied the existence of any quota system, stating: 'There is no quota that officers are expected to meet.' Fihla reiterated that the department's main priority is promoting compliance with traffic regulations to enhance road safety, not to meet any set number of fines. 'The performance of our officers is measured by their overall effectiveness in creating a safer environment for the community, and one of the ways is to issue citations, not by a predetermined target for fines. The integrity of our operations is paramount, and all actions are taken in strict accordance with the law,' he added. Political analyst Kenneth Mokgatlhe expressed concern over the alleged political interference, saying if the claims are accurate, it represents 'political interference of the highest degree.' He added, 'Corrupt politicians who have looted public funds are now trying to fix their financial mess by targeting poor motorists. The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) financial crisis is well-documented, and they are definitely looking for a shortcut to solve their financial conundrum. Remember that the treasury is on their case regarding their wasteful expenditure.' Mokgatlhe criticised Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, saying he often creates the illusion of action through noise and public spectacle rather than genuinely addressing pressing issues. 'He's all talk and no action. What happened to the poorly performing Heads of Department in his province? Instead of firing them, he simply reshuffled them. 'The ANC leaders are soft when they deal with corruption, especially when members of their factions are involved. Lesufi will not do anything regarding the deteriorating situation at CoJ because he failed to address the crisis at Emfuleni.' He added. With allegations such as these levelled against JMPD, motorists might wonder how the AARTO demerit system will be applied fairly, without putting pressure on metro police officers to meet certain traffic fine targets. The AARTO rollout is scheduled to begin in December 2025, but the points demerit system will not come into effect until 1 September 2026. This important reform aims to encourage responsible driving by assigning demerit points for traffic violations. Accumulating too many points? You could face licence suspensions or cancellations.
