Gqeberha acting judge arrested for fraud and money laundering
A murder trial in the Gqeberha High Court came to an abrupt halt on Monday, 12 May 2025, after police arrested the defence advocate.
Siphokazi Cubungu, a well-known legal figure in Gqeberha, is facing charges of fraud alternatively theft, and corruption, alternatively money laundering. Cubungu has also served as an acting judge.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali told Algoa FM that Cubungu appeared in court on Monday, 12 May 2025. The court released her on bail of R3 000.
Cubungu gained public attention for her role as legal counsel for Luthando Siyoni. Siyoni is the convicted middleman in the high-profile murder of Gqeberha schoolteacher Jayde Panayiotou.
Her case has been postponed to 9 June 2025. She will appear alongside her co-accused, Dumisani Zwani, who is reportedly a state administrative clerk.
Police arrested a SAPS officer stationed at Kabega Park SAPS in Gqeberha on Wednesday morning for fraud and money laundering charges.
The arrest took place around 09:00 on 7 May 2025 at the Kabega Park Police Station. Members of the SAPS Eastern Cape's Murder for Money Task Team carried out the arrest. The charges reportedly stem from an ongoing investigation linked to a case investigators opened at SAPS Mount Road in Gqeberha.
Authorities granted 48-year-old Nomvuyiseko Somekete bail of R500 on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
She allegedly impersonated the victims' aunt, mother, cousin, and even wife to fraudulently claim payouts without their knowledge.
The South African Police Service confirmed her arrest and stated it would consider internal disciplinary action based on the court's outcome. Investigators postponed the case to 24 July 2025 to allow for further investigation.
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