By BAKANG MOKOTO
31 March 2026 – Two Ugandan nationals, Nasifu Besigye (39) and Laban Mucwa (53), were arrested by The Hawks’ members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Mahikeng Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Mahikeng Flying Squad on 28 March 2026, for alleged fraud. The Hawks said the reports indicate that the police received information about a Gauteng-based woman who was allegedly held against her will in Mmabatho with the intention of withdrawing all her pension money.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the team operationalised the information and proceeded to the address where the victim was allegedly kept. Mathebula said on arrival, the police raided the place and reportedly found the victim in the presence of two men.
“The victim was allegedly lured by her boyfriend, Laban Mucwa, whom she met on Facebook to travel to Mmabatho. It is reported that the victim was taken to a house in Mmabatho, where she was ordered by her boyfriend to speak to her ancestors in a prayer room to have her pension money doubled.
“The victim reportedly went to the bank to withdraw R1 million and handed it over to her boyfriend. The accused appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on 30 March 2026, and were remanded in custody. Their matter was postponed to 31 March 2026, for services of an interpreter,” he said.
The Guardian 