By AGISANANG SCUFF
23 June 2025- A woman (49) was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team on 17 June 2025, for alleged fraud and alternative theft. It is alleged that during 2012, the accused, Martha Rapetsoa was a co-director of the company named Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd with two other directors.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said Rapetsoa allegedly withdrew an application for renewal of prospecting mining rights, which was in the process at the Department of Minerals Resource and Energy (DMRE). Mnisi said later on, in 2015, Rapetsoa, together with her co-directors, resolved to sell the company and the withdrawn prospecting mining right to a known businessman in the Northern Cape for an amount of R100 000.
“After the conclusion of the sale agreement, but before the businessman could make payment, she sold the company to the complainant and withheld the letter withdrawing the prospecting mining right, thereby misleading the complainant as though the prospecting mining right was valid and in good standing.
“Consequently, the complainant accepted the offer and paid an amount of R1 368 000. After the complainant paid the amount of R1 368 000 to the seller of the rights, an amount of R100 000 was then paid to a personal account belonging to one of the Directors of Rowen Tree 60 Pty Ltd,” she said.
Mnisi further said this series of fraudulent transactions resulted in the complainant losing an amount of R1 368 000. She added that more arrests are imminent.
“Rapetsoa briefly appeared before Douglas Magistrate’s Court on 19 June 2025. The next court date will be on 5 August 2025, for pre-trial and 2 additional accused to be added on the roll,” said Mnisi.
The Guardian 