Latest news with #TienkaAbbort
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Arrest of former City of Tshwane official marks a breakthrough in R11 million fraud investigation
A former City of Tshwane senior official, wanted for allegedly defrauding the municipality of R11 million, has been apprehended and appeared in court this week. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers A former senior City of Tshwane official, Tienka Abbort, has been arrested and appeared in court in connection with a R11 million municipal funds fraud case. The city has hailed the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the theft. This comes three months after the city reported the suspension of a finance department employee amid internal investigations linking him and two colleagues to a R10 million-plus fraud scheme that allegedly occurred between May 2021 and January 2022. Two of the employees were arrested and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court, where they were each granted R10,000 bail. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ At the time, the city said the third employee had evaded arrest by hospitalising himself after learning of the impending police action. The alleged scheme involved collusion between city officials and the public to manipulate user debit balances by transferring funds into municipal accounts controlled by the syndicate. 'The employees would collect what the user had intended to pay and, instead of paying that amount into the city's account, the user's account would be credited through the fraudulent transfer of the debit balance into the ghost account. They would then pocket the amount that the user had intended to pay,' the city said. This week, municipal spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said Abbort, a former director and accountant, who had been evading arrest, was finally apprehended after an intensive tracing operation led by the city's Forensic Services Division, in collaboration with Lyttleton SAPS. During her court appearance, Abbort applied for bail of R5,000, which was opposed by the National Prosecuting Authority, who requested bail be set at R200,000. The court ultimately granted Abbort bail of R50,000 with strict conditions, which include surrendering her travel documents, reporting twice weekly to her nearest police station, and residing at her current address unless she notifies the investigating officer. The investigation is ongoing, and the city said it will now probe potential collusion between Abbort and the account holders who benefited from the unauthorised transfers. Mashigo said the city's Revenue Management Division is reviewing the affected accounts and will initiate reversals where necessary. He warned residents to be vigilant against individuals or groups posing as agents claiming to 'clear' municipal debt, stating that these schemes are fraudulent and may result in criminal charges and financial loss. Residents in debt are encouraged to visit one of the city's customer care walk-in centres to make legitimate and sustainable arrangements. City Manager Johann Mettler praised the Forensic Services Division team for their outstanding work in combating corruption within the city, highlighting their commitment to identifying and reporting criminal conduct and ensuring accountability. He also called for forensic investigators to be designated as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act, stating that this would enhance the city's capacity to act decisively and in real-time against financial crime. 'We believe the city's fight against financial crime would be significantly strengthened by designating forensic investigators as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act, a move that could enhance our capacity to act decisively and in real time,' he said.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Former Tshwane metro director arrested in connection with R11m fraud
A former accountant within the Tshwane metro was arrested and appeared in court recently in connection with illegal transfers of around R11-million into fraudulent municipal accounts. An internal investigation had identified Tienka Abbort, along with two colleagues, as allegedly being involved in swindling the municipality out of millions in eight months. The investigation uncovered more than 200 transfers amounting to more than R10-million from various municipal user [customer] accounts into a ghost municipal account. Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro can confirm a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the illegal transfer of about R11-million into fraudulent municipal accounts. Mashigo said the former director and accountant within the city, who had been evading arrest in connection with the case, was finally apprehended. 'She appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning, June 3.' According to Mashigo, the arrest follows an intensive tracing operation led by the city's Forensic Services Division, working in close collaboration with the police. 'Tienka Abbort's identity is disclosed as she has now appeared in court, and the city is compelled to alert customers who may still be targeted in further attempts to perpetuate this scam,' explained Mashigo. He said during her court appearance, the accused requested bail of R5 000. The National Prosecuting Authority refused and requested that bail be set at R200 000. However, the court ultimately granted her bail at R50 000, subject to the following strict conditions: – She must surrender all her travel documents, – Report twice a week to her nearest police station, and – Remain at her current residence unless she informs the investigating officer. Mashigo said that at the time of reporting on this matter, the accused had not yet paid the bail amount. 'The investigation remains active and will now focus on uncovering any potential collusion between Abbort and the account holders who unlawfully benefited from these transfers,' Mashigo continued. He said the city's Revenue Management Division is currently reviewing the affected accounts and will initiate reversal processes where necessary to ensure full compliance with credit management policies. 'We strongly urge residents to be vigilant against individuals or groups posing as agents who claim that they can 'clear' a municipal debt. These schemes are fraudulent. Although they may appear to offer temporary relief, balances will be reinstated, and participating residents may face criminal fraud charges and lose any money paid to syndicate members,' he explained. Mashigo encouraged residents in debt to visit any of the city's customer care walk-in centres to make legitimate, sustainable arrangements. City Manager Johann Mettler expressed gratitude to the Forensic Services Division team for the sterling work to root out corruption in the city. 'Their commitment has gone beyond traditional practices. They are not only identifying and reporting criminal conduct but also ensuring there is follow-through regarding accountability.' Mettler said that while the division does not possess the power to make an arrest, its determination has allowed law enforcement to act swiftly and effectively. 'We believe the city's fight against financial crime would be significantly strengthened by designating forensic investigators as peace officers under the Criminal Procedure Act. A move that could enhance our capacity to act decisively and in real time,' Mettler said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Tshwane urges residents to be wary of scammers claiming they can help clear municipal debts
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Tshwane has urged residents to be wary of scammers who claim that they can help them clear their municipal debts. This comes after some city officials illegally transferred about R11 million into fraudulent municipal accounts. The metro's officials have since been arrested for their criminal activities. A former director and accountant, Tienka Abbort, who was a part of the scheme, was also apprehended and appeared at the Pretoria Magistrates Court earlier this week. "Abbort's identity is disclosed, as she has now appeared in court and the city is compelled to alert customers who may still be targeted in further attempts to perpetuate this scam," said Tshwane spokesperson Linela Mashigo.
