By REGINALD KANYANE
5 June 2025- The accused, Thabo Enoch Theletsane (41), briefly appeared at the Hatfield Magistrate’s Court. Theletsane is facing a charge of fraud and impersonating a police official.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that on 25 October 2024, while the accused was out on parole after serving a sentence on fraud charges. Mahanjana said he allegedly called a prominent businessman with a WhatsApp number that had a profile picture of the former National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
“During the call, it is alleged that he told the businessman that his phone was hacked and he should expect a call from a certain Mokoena, a police officer from cyber-crimes.
“When the accused called the businessman as Mokoena, it is alleged that he told the complainant that his phone was hacked and he was going to clean it,” she said.
Mahanjana further said the man asked to send him the numbers of people he frequently communicates with so he can check their phones too. She added that, the complainant then sent him the numbers.
“It is alleged that the accused further requested that the complainant make a payment to him to buy a hard drive to store his information. However, the payment was not made.
“On a different occasion, it is alleged that the accused sent a message and called another complainant with the numbers provided by the businessman and told the complainant that his phone was hacked and allegedly requested the complainant to make a payment of R50 000 to buy a hard drive to store his information which the complainant paid him,” said Mahanjana.
She said after both complainants realised that they had been scammed, they reported the matter to the police on 1 November 2024, and a case docket was opened. Mahanjana said intensive investigations by police, the accused was arrested on 10 May 2025 and is remanded in custody.
“In court, the matter was postponed to 7 July 2025 for an opposed bail application, and more charges will be added,” she said.
The Guardian 