Caption; Oshavaldo Masyayela sentenced for credit card fraud
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
The Louws Creek Periodical Court handed down a sentence against Mozambican National, Oshvaldo Masyayela(27), on Thursday 5 September, after he reportedly pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and contravening the Immigration Act.
Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said Masyayela was nabbed during an undercover operation conducted at the N4 next to Nkomazi tollgate, on 24 April this year. She said Masyayela has appeared in court on several occasions and he has since been remanded in custody after his bail applications were successfully opposed.
“ Information was received and followed up by the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, FNB(First National Bank) and Nedbank forensic investigators regarding suspects who were using stolen or counterfeit bank cards to assist truck and motor vehicle drivers by swiping the credit card to access the toll gate in exchange for cash,” said Sekgotodi.
She said it was established, after the accused was arrested, that he does not have a passport or permit to be in the country legally.
“ FNB and Nedbank credit cards were found in his possession, which were reported stolen from the institutions, prejudicing and causing an actual loss of R15 162.00. He was sentenced in terms of Section 112(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977, as follows; Count 1(R6000 or 6 months imprisonment), Count 2(R2000 or 3 months imprisonment). The accused is to be deported to his country of origin,” said Sekgotodi.
In conclusion, Sekgotodi said the Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major-General Nicholas Gerber, gave a stern warning to would-be criminals that Mpumalanga DPCI(Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) will pursue all cases and will not condone criminal acts which threaten the security of Mpumalanga citizens.
