Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
In a significant victory for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks), two South African makes, Erick Thulani Phiri(32) and Lourens Zitha(30), have been found guilty and sentenced for fraud in the Low’s Creek Periodical Court.
Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the accused were arrested on 24 April this year, during an undercover operation at the N4 next to Nkomazi tollgate.
“ Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, along with FNB(First National Bank) and Nedbank forensic investigators, uncovered the suspects’ scheme to use stolen or counterfeit bank cards to assist truck and motor vehicle drivers, by swiping the credit cards to access the toll gate in exchange for cash,” said Sekgotodi.
Phiri was reportedly found with FNB and Nedbank credit cards reported stolen, causing a loss of R16,314,76, while Zitha had an FNB debit card, roll gate transaction slips, and stolen FNB and Nedbank credit cards, resulting in a loss of R19,620.
Both men reportedly pleaded guilty and were sentenced on 19 September. Phiri received a R3,000 fine or 3 months imprisonment, while Zitha was sentenced to a R6,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment.
Major-General Nicholas Gerber, Provincial Head of the Hawks, commended the investigative team for finalising the investigation, which led to the successful sentence.
“ Mpumalanga DPCI will pursue all cases and will not condone criminal acts which threaten the security of Mpumalanga citizens,” said Gerber.
