By STAFF REPORTER
1 June 2026 – Four accused, Tshilumela Rakhadani (46), Anza Devon Mphephu (30), Alpheus Manda Kabinde (51), and Mamello Unice Morapedi (24) were arrested for allegedly defrauding a man (60) approximately R240 000. This comes after two accused, who were employees of the Department of Justice a Maintenance Officer and a Maintenance Court Investigating Officer, colluded with a friend, who recruited his girlfriend, a member of the public and involved two additional suspects in the scheme.
The North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Morake said the accused allegedly falsely presented the woman as the victim’s second wife. Morake said an application for spousal maintenance was allegedly completed and a court order was signed by the Maintenance Officer, authorising the bank to approve and deposit R240 000 into the account of the woman posing as the victim’s second wife.
“The victim reportedly approached the Brits Maintenance Court several times to state his case, but was not assisted until he approached the Court Manager, who initiated an internal investigation.
“This led to the opening of a criminal fraud case on behalf of the victim. Morake said the case was initially investigated in Brits and during 2024, it was transferred to the North West Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation,” she said.
Morake further said the matter was successfully investigated and all the suspects allegedly involved in orchestrating the crime were linked to the case. She added that the preliminary investigations revealed that the two Department of Justice employees and the other public members allegedly shared the R240 000 among themselves.
“During the course of the investigation, the two D epartment of Justice employees resigned from their positions, and their pension funds are being withheld pending the outcome of the criminal case.
“The accused have been charged with fraud and appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 29 May 2026. The accused were summoned before court and are expected to re-appear before the Regional Court on 23 July 2026,” said Morake.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, commended the police for arresting the suspects, stating that their dedicated investigation will help remove criminals from communities. Naidoo urged members of the public to be cautious when sharing private information relating to their retirement funds.
The Guardian 