By AGISANANG SCUFF
15 October 2026 – In an effort to curb crimes committed using non-government organisations, the Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court convicted Nathan Baldwin Ramailane (62) on one count of fraud and two counts of money laundering. Ramailane was charged alongside his NGO Heseqwa Caring Network.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said, the accused had submitted a request for funding from the National Lottery Commission (NLC). Thebe said the application was approved to the tune of R700 000 and paid to the charitable organisation.
“As part of the monitoring processes, the NLC requested a progress report which was followed by a visit to the organisation’s premises. The organisation was found not to be in operation. A suspected fraudulent report signed by the directors was sent to the (NCL) officials to mislead that the NPO was in operation.
“The NLC instituted an internal investigation into the matter and further laid a complaint with the Hawks Serious Commercial Crimes Investigating unit (SCCI) in Kimberley. The actual loss suffered is R700 000 caused by the conduct of the accused. Investigation revealed the funds were used to purchase a motor vehicle, which was later used for personal reasons by the Director,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Northern Cape, Major General Stephen Mabuela said: “Ramailane will be sentenced on the 8 December 2026, by Kimberley Serious Commercial Crimes Court. We are hoping for a good sentence that will send the message that crimes committed using NGO/NPO’s will not be tolerated.”
