Tag Archives: fraud

Former midwife found guilty of crimes committed against pregnant women

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By REGINALD KANYANE

9 April 2026 – The owner and former midwife of You and Me Midwife-led Maternity Care, Yolande Maritz Fouchee (48) from Murrayfield was found guilty of culpable homicide of 9 days-old Noah Von Kloeg, 6 counts of assault, fraud, employment of an unqualified person, and 5 counts of assault involving a legal duty by the Pretoria High Court. Between 2019 to 2020, Fouchee would administer functions as a midwife, such as running pregnancy check-ups for pregnant women and assisting them to give birth at Fouchee’s practice in Murrayfield.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said during the pregnancy and birthing process of those women, Fouchee would overlook pregnancy complications in respect of her patients and not refer them to the appropriate specialists. Mahanjana said Fouchee would also say to the pregnant women that she is capable of performing normal to low-risk birthing.

“During the birthing process, Fouchee would offer the pregnant mothers water mixed with Cytotec or Oxytocin in order to induce and augment their labour without their knowledge. On 3 April 2019, one of the victims’ labour was induced.

“She gave birth and 9 days later, her baby died due to the complications overlooked by Fouchee. In 2020, Fouchee was reported to the South African Nursing Council (SANC) by the victims and criminal cases against her were opened at Silverton police station. After an investigation by the police, Fouchee was arrested on 24 June 2024, at her place of residence,” she said.

Mahanjana further said in court, Fouchee pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against her and denied committing the offences. She added, however, the state prosecutor, Adv Jennifer Cronje, presented compelling evidence by Fouchee’s daughter, the victims and Professor Priya Soma-Pillay, as well as Professor Izelle Smuts, both experts from Steve Biko Academic Hospital who compiled detailed medical reports about ante-natal care, labour and delivery as well as neonatal emergency care proved the state’s case beyond reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in Gauteng, Advocate Marika Jansen Van Vuuren, commended Cronje for her work and said that such cases set precedence that medical officials are not above the law and that they too can be criminally prosecuted. Van Vuuren hopes that this judgement provides some justice and closure to the victims and their families.

“The matter has been postponed to 25 May 2026 for sentencing proceedings,” she said.

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Four bogus Hawks members nabbed

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Picture: (The Hawks logo)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

13 October 2025- Four men briefly appeared before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, fraud, robbery with aggravating circumstances, impersonating a police official, unlawful possession of an automatic firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that on 10 October 2025, at approximately 10am, the accused who were wearing Hawks T-shirts, stopped a vehicle in which the victim (42), was travelling. They allegedly pointed a rifle, forced him out of his vehicle, handcuffed him, covered his head with a T-shirt, and drove off with him in a white Golf GTI.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng,

Lumka Mahanjana said while driving along the R80 highway, members of the Tshwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) noticed the suspicious-looking Golf GTI with four occupants and the victim. Mahanjana said upon inspection, the officers discovered that the registration number on the Golf belonged to a different vehicle.

“A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, several rounds of live ammunition, dashboard blue lights, cable ties, a vehicle siren, and T-shirts with police emblems.

“The police immediately arrested all four suspects and rescued the victim. The matter was postponed to 20 October 2025, for bail information,” said Mahanjana.

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Action taken against ‘rebellious’ councillors   

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By OBAKENG MAJE

30 July 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said they will continue to take decisive action to confront corruption, fraud and poor governance entrenched in various municipalities across the province.

Molapisi said in terms of Section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000), and in his capacity as the MEC responsible for Local Government, he has authorised investigations into serious allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption and other irregularities in the Greater Taung, City of Matlosana and Madibeng Local Municipalities.

“In the case of Greater Taung Local Municipality, the investigation was triggered by persistent instability within the municipal council, which rendered it incapable of discharging its statutory responsibilities. The investigation is completed and remedial actions have been instituted against those councillors who have been implicated.

“We can confirm that the municipality is now stable and is able to execute its executive obligations. In the City of Matlosana, the investigation followed irregularities within governance and administrative structures,” he said.

Molapisi further said the investigation was completed at the end of 2024/2025 financial year. He added that the report will soon be communicated to the council and the findings implemented.

“On 15 July 2025 – we invoked Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act to investigate allegations of maladministration and malfeasance in Madibeng Local Municipality.

“I met with the council to introduce the appointed law firm which will conduct the investigations. During the meeting, councillors have thrown their weight behind the investigations,” said Molapisi. 

He said the findings will be finalized within three months and shared with all stakeholders for action. Molapisi said the investigation is part of a broader drive to restore ethical governance, rebuild public confidence and ensure that municipalities truly serve the people.  

“EXCO has also resolved to invoke Section 139 (1)(a) of the Constitution in Mamusa and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities. The decision has been communicated to both municipalities and is therefore expected to implement the directives and submit monthly reports to the department. 

On 13 December 2023, 26 municipal councillors in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, allegedly convened a special council sitting in the absence of municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai and municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane, where they elected Lerato Babuseng as the new Chief Whip, Kealeboga Seboko as the new municipal speaker and Onkarabile Tong as the new mayor.

The latter accused the former of widespread corruption and maladministration. They alleged that this has affected the smooth running of the municipality and forced Moipolai to request intervention from the then North West MEC for COGHSTA, Nono Maloyi.

Meanwhile, the Action SA councillor, Mika Moeti said he is not aware of the report and he cannot comment.

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Transnet locomotives corruption case postponed for trial

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

31 January 2025- The former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, Garry Pita, Phetolo Ramosebudi, as well as Regiments Capital Directors Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya, Trillian Asset Management’s Director Daniel Roy (Novum Asset Management), Kuben Moodley, and Albatime Pty LTD owner, appeared before the Johannesburg High Court on charges of the Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, money laundering and corruption.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamomothame said the matter was postponed to 2 February 2026, for trial. Mamothame said the state and defence teams will in the interim engage on the issue of further particulars, which they intend to request from the state, and the judge ordered that it be resolved by 30 June 2025.

“The matter relating to Adv Shaun Abrahams will be adjudicated by the ombudsman, following the state’s opposition of Adv Abrahams, who was the NDPP, representing an accused in this matter.

“Their charges which include fraud, corruption, and money laundering, stem from the locomotives transaction advisory tender awarded to the McKinsey-led consortium in 2012, resulting in the procurement of 1064 locomotives valued at over R54 billion,” he said.

Mamothame further said it is alleged that Regiments Capital, who benefitted, was irregularly brought into the contract, increasing the contract value and scope to over R395 million.

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More than 600 suspects arrested during Operation Shanela in North West!

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Picture: The police nabbed 689 suspects during Operation Shanela/Generic  

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 600 suspects were arrested for various crimes during Operation Shanela. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the suspects were arrested for various crimes including dealing in drugs, business robberies, murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual assault, assaults, fraud, and burglaries.

Funani said eight wanted individuals were amongst the suspects. She further said 51 undocumented persons were taken in for processing.

“The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects, and many others.

“The operation also culminated in the confiscations of various drugs, four handguns, one rifle, 30 ammunition, two computers, liquor, and copper cables. Operation Shanela that is aimed at fighting crime and ensuring that the citizens feel safe, keeps on producing good results,” said Funani.

She added that, 689 suspects were arrested across North West between 14 and 17 September 2023.

“In one of the operations on Friday, the Detectives and Support Personnel, Provincial Organised Crime operationalised information regarding alleged drug dealing activity in Zakhele, Ikageng. A search warrant was applied for and executed at the identified place. 

“During the search, a man was spotted attempting to flush down the drain 12 mandrax tablets. A further search in the tuckshop led to the discovery of 14 bags, 60 litres of dagga, and 116 mandrax tablets, all with estimated street value of R173 00,” said Funani.

She said all four suspects aged between 19 and 38, were arrested and are expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court for dealing in drugs. Funani said in Klipgat, a tactical operation by the local detectives and Brits Crime Intelligence on Friday, resulted in the arrest of two suspects for house robbery.

“The suspects were arrested after the team followed up on information about wanted suspects. The first suspect was arrested at Lekgema Section and found in possession of suspected stolen cell phone. Further investigation led to the recovery of suspected stolen goods such as plasma television, gas stove, blankets, a pair of shoes and music system at Sofasonke Section,” she said.

According to Funani, the other two suspects were successfully traced and arrested in Madidi village. She said one of the suspects was found to be in possession of unlicensed firearm and three ammunition. She said the suspects aged 33, 37 and 40 are expected to appear in the Garankuwa Magistrate’s Court today. 

All other arrested suspects are expected to make their court appearances in different courts between today and tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for their continuous hard work and ensure that, perpetrators are put behind bars.

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Doctor fined for charging twice

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NM Doctors hearing 1

Durban gynaecologist Muhindo Gabriel Matebhere has been fined R20 000 after being found guilty of “split-billing”.

Matebhere appeared before of the Health Professions Council of South Africa’s professional conduct committee in Durban on Tuesday.

One of his patients, Tessa Ntshingila, 35, had filed a complaint against the doctor in February 2010, after he made her pay a cash amount of R1 500 for a surgical procedure and then charged her a further R900 on her medical aid.

Matebhere pleaded guilty to charges of unprofessional conduct, but argued that his only wrongdoing was failing to disclose that he had charged Ntshingila twice.

His lawyers said that both doctor and patient were in agreement over everything that Ntshingila was charged for and the doctor had made a “technical error”.

“I don’t know why he charged me an extra R900. We never agreed upon that,” Ntshingila said.

“He told me that this procedure was not covered by medical aid.”

According to Matebhere’s lawyers, Ntshingila was supposed to be charged R3 000, but he “felt sorry for her” and charged her a lower fee.

He asked her to pay R1 500 upfront and recouped his losses from the medical aid.

Ntshingila was charged a further R6 000 by the hospital after her surgery was completed.

 

Matebhere was ordered to pay a fine of R20 000 and was given an opportunity to appeal within 21 days.