By OBAKENG MAJE
Four accused facing charges of contravention of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 briefly appeared at the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court on 6 December 2023.
Pulaetsile Albertina Phepheng (39), Chwaro April (40), Betty Mosala (40), and Barend Pretorius (50) were arrested on 6 December 2023 in a multi-disciplinary approach by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, National Credit Regulator (NCR), Pampierstad Visible Policing and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the preliminary investigations alleged that the accused were running unregistered micro cash loan businesses around Pampierstad. Mnisi said the accused would retain clients’ bank cards, SASSA cards, and identity documentation to enforce the credit agreement.
“A search and seizure disruptive operation was conducted at the accused respective places of work. During the search, banking cards, SASSA cards, identity documentation, and combined cash to the total value of R400 956 were confiscated.
“They were released on different bail that ranges from R3 000 to R10 000. A case against Mosala, Chwaro, and Phepheng is postponed to 6 February 2024, Pretorius’ case was postponed to 19 January 2024,” she said.
The Guardian 