By OBAKENG MAJE
A man who was arrested for fraud and extortion remanded in custody. It is alleged that Bethune Mzimba (39), swindled money from an unsuspecting customer in January 2024.
According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the complainant allegedly received a call from Mzimba, who claimed to be calling from JB Marks Local Municipality’s electricity department. Mathebula said the complainant was allegedly told that her company owes the municipality R4 million and she should pay R6000 to avoid being disconnected.
“The complainant allegedly paid the requested amount into the suspect’s personal bank account. When the suspect demanded more money, the complainant became suspicious and brought the matter to Hawks’ attention.
“The investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, revealed that the suspect was not an employee at the municipality. Following an investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued against the suspect,” he said.
Mathebula further said Mzimba was subsequently arrested in White River, Mpumalanga on 27 April 2024. He added that the accused briefly appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 29 April 2024.
“He was remanded in custody and his matter was postponed to 3 May 2024, for bail application,” said Mathebula.
The Guardian 