13 May 2022
Reserve Bank smoked out Guptas’ money laundering Bank of Baroda before State Capture findings
It’s a rare State Capture intervention success story. Without the Bank of Baroda, the Gupta corruption and racketeering enterprise would not have been able to smuggle billions out of South Africa to fund its international ambitions, evidence before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry revealed.
Another suspect expected in R103m Absa fraud case
Another suspect is expected to appear in the R103m Absa fraud case, which resumes in the Johannesburg commercial crimes court, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Thursday.
New phone rules planned for South Africa – what you should know
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has proposed linking biometric data to SIM cards. If approved, the new regulations would require all South Africans to provide their biometric data to mobile service providers to obtain a new cellphone number or approve a SIM swap.
Estina dairy farm: R37.7m fraud case of alleged Gupta associates a step closer to trial
The R37.7 million fraud case of two alleged Gupta associates, Kamal Vasram and Saliesh Indurjeeth, is a step closer to trial after the matter was postponed in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Pandora Papers shed light on ‘gatekeepers’ of dirty money says European watchdog
MONEYVAL rebuked governments across Europe for failing to combat money laundering or police lawyers, accountants and other professionals who facilitate financial crime.
06 May 2022
Only God can help the State’s case, says World Cup graft-accused Thoshan Panday
Thoshan Panday, the uMhlanga businessman accused of multi million-rand fraud relating to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, appears to believe the State will need divine intervention to successfully prosecute the case.
Woman remanded in custody after being arrested for allegedly defrauding SARS
The Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court has remanded 31-year-old Pretty Sambo (31) in custody after she was arrested and added to the list of six other people accused of defrauding the South African Revenue Service of almost R1 million.
NPA claims legal victory with R1.6bn restraint order against Gupta-linked Regiments Capital
Regiments Capital has suffered a significant loss in its bid to evade prosecution, with a full Bench of the high court ruling that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a criminal court may convict the defendants, including the director defendants, of the offences identified by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
US Tax Coffers lose $640 billion of taxable profits due to trade-based tax evasion and money laundering in 2021
Plastic buckets exported to the United Kingdom for $.01 each seems like a bargain, while single line telephones imported from China for $505.03 each is steep pricing. It is also unclear how non-industrial diamonds can be exported to France for $2.32 per carat but imported from South Africa for $929,390.82 per carat. In fact, these are examples of abnormally priced goods both exported and imported by US companies or criminals that illustrate complex tax avoidance or money laundering strategies.
James Stunt among eight accused of £266m Bradford money-laundering scam
The former husband of heiress Petra Ecclestone has gone on trial accused of being part of a £266m money-laundering operation.
22 Apr 2022
Bookkeeper in Gqeberha found guilty of R2.4m tax fraud
Linda Ann Labuschagne, 42, was convicted on multiple charges of tax fraud in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gqeberha. She was arrested by the Hawks on 20 July 2021, after the cases were reported by two tax firms she worked for in 2019 and 2020.
Ethekwini ANC faction chooses power over the people
Zandile Gumede’s election to yet another powerful position in the KwaZulu-Natal region is, by most accounts, in the interest of her self-serving supporters and not the long-suffering residents.
Jacob Zuma threatens to bring South Africa to its knees if he is jailed
The former president’s supporters threaten to resort to violence again in a deeply divided country, putting its democracy on the line and its economy in peril.
Please don’t steal South Africa’s flood money: government
Parliament’s portfolio committee on water and sanitation has warned against ‘the abuse of resources for the benefit of a selected few’ as money and resources pour into KwaZulu-Natal to help those affected by the recent flooding.
Richard Mdluli, former Crime Intelligence boss, forces another delay over legal costs in corruption case
The South African Police Service has already declined to pay for former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli’s lawyers in his fraud and corruption trial. Now Mdluli wants a court to review this decision. The State is having none of it.
15 Apr 2022
SIU gets go-ahead to seek nearly R5m from Mkhize family
If former health minister Zweli Mkhize and his family have been celebrating the decision by Parliament’s ethics committee to clear him in regard to the Digital Vibes affair, they may want to put the cork back in the champagne bottle.
Corruption trial delayed against South Africa’s ex-president
The corruption trial in South Africa of former President Jacob Zuma has been postponed again on Monday pending the outcome of the ex-leader’s appeal to get the state prosecutor removed from his case.
‘Money-flipping’ and the other investment scams hitting South Africa right now
There has been news aplenty about an onslaught of investment scams since the start of 2022, from popular shows on Netflix glorifying the brazen tales of “swindlers”, to home-ground stories about opportunists fleecing individuals as well as businesses.
Corruption and fraud sends South Africans down the drain
Corruption and fraud in the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the collapse of local governance mean taps in many towns and villages have either run dry or have undrinkable water.
Case against DA councillor Nora Grose postponed again
DA ward councillor Nora Grose, who is being probed for the alleged misappropriation of funds, made a brief appearance in the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court in Cape Town on Wednesday.
08 Apr 2022
Financial crime: South African fraud gang dismantled
A fraud gang suspected of swindling a US-based company out of some EUR 455,000 has been taken down in raids across Johannesburg, led by investigators from the Hawks Serious Commercial Crimes Unit and US Secret Service agents, and supported by INTERPOL.
SA car dealers at high risk of falling prey to money laundering: Financial Intelligence Centre
SA’s motor vehicle dealers are at high risk of falling prey to money laundering by clients who use cash to buy vehicles.
South Africa looking at introducing ‘digital rand’
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is actively experimenting with digital currency and distributed-ledger technology, but this cannot be done in isolation from the wider financial industry, says Governor Lesetja Kganyago.
Africa’s coastal regions and economies sinking beneath a sea of maritime sector corruption
Grand corruption in Africa’s maritime sector has led to overfishing, resource scarcity and a rise in criminality, with coastal communities most affected.
Ex-ANC MP Vincent Smith’s tax fraud, corruption case postponed
The former parliamentarian faces charges of tax fraud, money laundering, corruption and breach of the FIC Act.
01 Apr 2022
Duo who defrauded Eskom out of R35m sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment
A former Eskom employee and a service provider have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in the Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court.
520 illegally imported cars to be destroyed in the Eastern Cape
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said the cars were tracked in 2017 in a mass operation that included the police’s crime intelligence, anti-corruption, and vehicle safety storage (VSS) units; the National Prosecuting Authority; and the RTMC’s own anti-corruption unit.
Why South Africans are falling prey to Tinder Swindler-type online romance scams
According to a study done by Techshielder, a technology and online security news website, South Africa is one of 20 countries in the world where people are most likely to fall victim to online romance scams.
AFU freezes R18m fraudulently paid into SA bank accounts by Lesotho government officials
The Free State High Court has granted an order for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to freeze more than R18 million that was fraudulently paid into South African bank accounts by Lesotho government officials.
Rhodes University finance administrator convicted of defrauding the institution
The Gqeberha Commercial Crime Court convicted the financial administrator at Rhodes University for defrauding the institute of over R400 000.
18 Mar 2022
Red flagged: Terror-linked networks in South Africa a ticking time bomb
Financiers of extremist groups are slipping through the law enforcement cracks amid suspicions and accusations that the country is part of a vast network of terrorist cells.
Pretoria meets US Treasury over anti-money laundering, terror financing matters
National Treasury has held meetings with the US Treasury Department in Pretoria to discuss a number of financial sector-related matters.
SA’s economic links to the global system pose foreign policy constraints
South Africa must strike a careful balance between its political views and what is in the best interest of its economic and financial systems.
R103m Absa fraud case: Case withdrawn against slain IT specialist as State recoups R66 million
The case against slain Absa specialist engineer Xolela Masebeni, 30, was withdrawn after a death certificate was presented in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
3 new cryptocurrency rules coming for South Africa
Cryptocurrency is gaining momentum in South Africa and the government made it clear in its 2022 Budget Speech that it is taking it very seriously, says advisory firm Tax Consulting SA.
11 Mar 2022
The abalone trade is rife with violence and corruption, says the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime
Today the abalone trade is rife with violence and corruption, enmeshed in the drug trade and controlled by local gangs.
‘Industrial-strength money laundering’ at Optimum Coal Mine the epicentre of State Capture
The case constitutes an epilogue to the long-running saga of the Optimum Coal Mine, and pits the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) against the mine’s business rescue practitioners in an unusual dispute over whether legal action can be taken against a company in business rescue.
SIU argues Digital Vibes was a ‘money laundering scheme used to benefit Mkhize family’
The Special Investigating Unit argued before the Special Tribunal that the Digital Vibes contract was a money-laundering scheme designed to siphon funds to former minister Zweli Mkhize’s family while also shielding the family from accountability.
Here are South Africa’s top scammers listed by the FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has listed South Africa’s (Cape Town based) top scammers who are suspected of running international wide-scale fraud.
Finance, justice departments vow to root out ISIS activities in SA
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four people, including two South African men, as alleged financial facilitators of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and ISIS-Mozambique, pursuant to a US executive order.
4 Mar 2022
Sanctions and boycotts: how the west has responded to the invasion of Ukraine
Governments are imposing sanctions against Russia while European and US companies have severed ties.
Former municipal CFO gets six years in jail for fraud, money laundering
Gcobani Mntumni, who was a financial officer at the Mbhashe municipality, added bank accounts belonging to his siblings and friends into the municipality payroll. The municipality paid the ghost employees, and the fraudulent activities were discovered in March 2015.
Concern as South Africa features in top 10 list of countries hardest hit by cybercrime
While South Africa sits sixth in the countries found to have the most cybercrime, research has shown that South Africa has shown the sharpest rise in cybercrime recently compared to any country in the world.
Money laundering, corruption uncovered at National Lotteries Commission
According to SIU Chief National Investigations officer Leonard Lekgetho, the SIU seeks to recover any financial losses suffered by the State and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). This after an investigation into the affairs of the commission uncovered millions of rands in alleged money laundering and corruption.
Now it is up to the UAE to extradite Gupta brothers, says JCS department
The Department of Justice and Correctional Services says the ball is now in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) court to extradite Atul and Rajesh Gupta to South Africa to face fraud charges.
18 Feb 2022
Convictions show South Africa’s ‘strong stance’ on international terrorism
The convictions of two South African brothers who attempted to join Islamic State show the country has taken a “strong stance” in fighting international terrorism, a legal expert has said.
Is Malta Destined to be Europe’s Next Economic Graveyard?
Aside from being rather pleasing on the eye, the smallest state in the European Union is fast becoming a cesspool of financial degradation that is leaving a stain on the entire EU project.
South African judge dismisses Zuma’s bid to appeal prosecutor ruling
A South African judge on Wednesday dismissed a bid by former president Jacob Zuma to appeal an earlier ruling rejecting his attempt to have the prosecutor in his arms deal corruption trial taken off the case for alleged bias.
Blood ties: South Africa caught in a web of murderous, drug-smuggling Brazilian gangs
A tale of cop collusion, a ‘most wanted’ fugitive hiding in South Africa, a double murder in Brazil, and cocaine concealed in sugar shipments to Durban.
Duo remanded in custody for fraud
Themba Titos Sibeko (39) and France Josia Moiane (24) were remanded in custody by the Middelburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 10 February 2022 after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation based in Middelburg for fraud, theft, contravention of the Cybercrime Act and possession and presenting counterfeit cards at Veritas filling station in Middelburg.
11 Feb 2022
Bushiri extradition case: Malawi High Court orders lower court to continue with committal proceedings
The Malawi High Court has ordered that a local magistrate’s court should continue with extradition committal proceedings in the case of self-proclaimed Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary.
Gupta ‘racketeering’ at Transnet – tough job ahead for prosecutors
The Zondo Commission has named Gupta family members and their allies for running a racketeering scheme at a key state-owned enterprise. But successfully prosecuting wrongdoers for racketeering is hard because the act of wrongdoing is broad and there’s no offence associated with it.
Corporate corruption in South Africa demands global action in response
The UK and other governments must cancel lucrative contracts for companies linked to state capture by the Guptas.
R1.9m PPE tender fraud: Court hears some accused ‘committed crimes while on bail in other cases’
Two of the 15 people accused of defrauding the police through a personal protective equipment (PPE) tender have admitted that they have pending cases.
VBS looting suspects appear in court
Two accused, former mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality, Avhashoni Tshifhango and Municipal Manager Hlengani Maluleke appeared before the Thohoyandou Magistrates’ court and were granted bail of R30 000-00 each.
4 Feb 2022
Crypto bucks rising financial crime trend
Reported fraud across the financial services industry in Africa has spiked, particularly in South Africa. However, while financial crime is on the rise, there has been a decline in illicit crypto transactions according to the foremost blockchain analysis company Chainalysis.
‘Gangsters and underworld cartels’ are infiltrating municipalities – Oscar Mabuyane
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane says safeguarding municipal resources won’t be easy – because “gangsters and underworld cartels” have infiltrated local councils.
How Transnet was the primary site of State Capture
The Zondo Inquiry established that racketeering, money laundering, fraud, kickbacks, corruption and many other financial crimes were the order of the day at the company that served as the engine of the country’s economy.
Preventing corruption is the key
Amnesty is not possible under South Africa’s Constitution. The only amnesty available in the country is for those who are willing to plead guilty and stand as a witness against their fellow thieves.
Accused sentenced to direct imprisonment for money laundering
An entity, Mpenyani CC and Lusufi Abednego Mabuza (39), were found guilty by the Nelspruit Commercial Crime Court on Monday, 31 January 2022 for fraud and money laundering.
21 Jan 2022
Vincent Smith tax fraud and money laundering case set down for April
The tax fraud and money laundering case against former ANC MP Vincent Smith has been set down for 6 April 2022.
Alleged underworld figure Nafiz Modack and co-accused denied bail
After nearly nine months in custody, controversial businessman and alleged underworld kingpin, Nafiz Modack and his co-accused have been denied bail in the Blue Downs Regional Court.
Mandela funeral scandal: Buffalo City stops paying legal fees of 4 former senior councillors
Four of the 14 people accused of siphoning R10 million from the Buffalo City Metro, after allegedly disguising it as payment for the funeral preparations of the late Nelson Mandela in 2013, have been dumped by their lawyer after the metro council stopped footing their legal bill.
Gupta Inc loses high court bid to block Optimum business rescue practitioners
Optimum Coal’s business rescue practitioners have scored an important win over the Guptas but they may still be forced back to court.
Service provider sentenced to ten years for theft and money laundering
A service provider, Thumeka Qongqo (44) has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment for theft and money laundering through her entity, Ogiyonke Construction Company by the Mthatha High Court on Monday, 17 January 2022.
14 Jan 2022
MTI’s Johann Steynberg arrested in Brazil
South Africa’s financial regulator has confirmed that it has been notified by the Hawks of Steynberg’s arrest in the South American country.
South Africa’s real estate industry is worried about the impact of this type of crime
Having increased by over 300% during the pandemic, cybercrime is fast becoming one of the biggest threats to businesses globally – and the real estate industry is no exception.
Bain, Zuma and Moyane colluded to seize and restructure SARS
Zondo Commission recommends that all Bain’s contracts with state organs be re-examined.
NPA and Hawks to act against accused in Zondo commission report
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks are hard at work reviewing the Zondo commission report with the view to act against those who were responsible for state capture.
Former police officer condemned to ten years direct jail time for fraud
Former Warrant Officer, Stephan Ferreira (47), has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment by the Rustenburg Regional Court on Wednesday for defrauding the South African Police Service (SAPS) of just over R1.7million.
17 Dec 2021
12 poachers arrested around Kruger National Park within past month
The arrested suspects were found in possession of high-calibre firearms, ammunition, poison, knives, snare cables and rhino horns.
Northern Cape arrest on R400k money laundering charges
Investigators said the man received money, believed to be the proceeds of crime, from the Value FX investment company, which is currently under investigation by the Hawks.
Employee jailed for stealing R5.9 million from Illovo Sugar
The employee who worked in the finance department of Illovo Sugar diverted the stolen monies into her bank account as well as that of a family member and a friend.
FSCA looking to unveil Crypto regulatory framework soon
South Africa’s financial sector regulator, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is set to unveil a new regulatory framework that covers cryptocurrency in early 2022.
UK NatWest Bank fined £260m after pleading guilty in money laundering case
Gold trader brought cash into some branches of Britain’s biggest business bank in black bin bags. NatWest took in about £365m in deposits, more than two-thirds of which was in cash, across nearly 50 branches.
10 Dec 2021
Cash is king on the ground in the illegal wildlife trade
The money flows in wildlife trafficking have been detailed in the first report by the South African Anti-Money Laundering Integrated Task Force. Cash is still king, but further up the supply chain, payment methods and laundering tactics become far more sophisticated.
R111m businessman stole from Covid-19 UIF TERS will be forfeited to the state
Impossible Services (Pty) Ltd fraudulently received R111m from the Unemployment Employment Fund’s temporary employment relief scheme (TERS).
Former Mayor of Nketoane Municipality and accomplices sentenced for fraud
A whistleblower reported alleged tender fraud and corruption committed at Nketoane Local Municipality regarding the installation of equipment in the parks.
Biden vows to fix money laundering loopholes
President Biden’s administration are announcing an anti-corruption strategy meant to tackle two major vehicles for money laundering in the United States — real estate transactions and shell companies.
International Anti-Money Laundering operation results in 1803 arrests
Police in 26 countries undertook a joint operation that led to the arrest and identification of thousands involved in laundering money through various online scams such as sim-swapping, man-in-the-middle attacks, e-commerce fraud and phishing.
03 Dec 2021
Organised crime has increased across Africa during Covid-19 pandemic
Organised crime got worse in 42 countries on the continent between 2019 and 2021, with Africa experiencing an annual loss of US$88.6 billion in illicit financial flows linked to criminal activities.
Asset Forfeiture Unit attaches former Nelson Mandela Bay ANC regional secretary house
The NPA said home of former Nelson Mandela Bay ANC regional secretary Zandisile Qupe was bought in cash using funds he siphoned from the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
Traffic department official found guilty of soliciting tender bribe
A service provider approached the Hawks when the official wanted money to influence the panel to award them the tender.
Gauteng arrest over R3.2m property purchase email interception
A Gauteng woman allegedly intercepted and re-directed a property buyer to a fraudulent email where they provided new banking details to which over R3.2m was transferred for the property sale.
Two imprisoned for possession of rhino horns & corruption
Mozambique citizens were sentenced in Middelburg to six years for possession of rhino horns, five years for corruption and three years for possession of a shark fin having offered police officers R20 000 to turn a blind eye to criminal act.
19 Nov 2021
Alleged ringleader of multi-million rand gold smuggling and money laundering racket was arrested again
A man accused of running a gold smuggling syndicate was out on bail when he was arrested for a second time by the Hawks last week.
Two men in the court in R4.5m land claim fraud case
The men were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for alleged fraud, theft and money laundering of more than R4.5 million as part of a fraudulent land claim scam.
FNB branch operations manager arrested for ‘R4m forex fraud’
A FNB branch operations manager has appeared in court for allegedly defrauding the bank of R4m in forex payments over two years.
Thousands of govt employees received fraudulent Covid-19 grants
At least 6 000 employees in 24 government departments received payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).
Home affairs officials in court over rampant corruption at Lebombo border post
It is alleged the officials were issuing temporary residence permits, working permits and also stamping passports to extend the stay of the illegal immigrants who are coming from Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
12 Nov 2021
Fraudster who stole R11m from FNB is jailed in Durban
Nadeem Arshad, was convicted of 26 counts of fraud and one count of money laundering. He committed the crimes together with two co-conspirators who have absconded.
Anti-gang unit sergeant arrested for alleged corruption
It is alleged that the sergeant was arrested after information was received that he requested a sum of money to arrange that a suspect in a murder case he was investigating was released on bail.
Truck driver arrested for trafficking R2m worth of drugs
Arresting officers discovered two bags of dagga, weighing about 60.2kg, as well as 39000 mandrax tablets concealed in plastic bags.
Alleged investment fraudster arrested for R3 million scam
Three suspects lured community members in Kuruman to invest money into their company called ‘Value Fix’ and were promised their investments would yield a 100% interest return.
5 Nov 2021
Alleged underworld boss Nafiz Modack arrested on tax fraud charges
Nafiz Modack appeared in court on Wednesday on charges of racketeering, fraud, money laundering, uttering and contravention of the VAT Act.
Eight charged in US with conspiring to engage in internet scams and money laundering from Cape Town
Seven leaders of the Cape Town Zone of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as “Black Axe,” charged in US with multiple federal crimes relating to internet scams they perpetrated from South Africa.
Former Eskom finance controller found guilty of R35m fraud
Bernard Moraka will be sentenced for running a two-and-a-half-year scam with Victor Tshabalala, the sole director of Meagra Transportation, who received 53 fraudulent payments for work not done.
Hawks shut down four money lending businesses in North West
Four alleged loan sharks were closed for running illegal money lending businesses in Coligny in North West.
Former ANC MP Vincent Smith faces charges of tax fraud and money laundering
It is alleged that Smith failed to declare additional income of over R13m to SARS and also faces additional charges of fraud for alleged payments to the value of R800 000 made to his company.
29 Oct 2021
Alleged crime boss is among 8 suspects arrested in R219m tax return fraud case
Eight people have been arrested in Cape Town in connection with a R219 million tax return fraud case claiming VAT refunds which could not be substantiated.
R1.4m vehicle finance fraud case in Pretoria court
It is alleged that the accused fraudulently created false payslips under his company when applying for vehicle finance at three car dealerships in Pretoria.
Alleged fraudster arrested for approximately R1.8 million of tax fraud
The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court heard on 18 October how an alleged fraudster, Sphesihle Floyd Nzimande (35), submitted false tax returns which allegedly caused the South African Revenue Services a loss of approximately R1.8 million.
Eastern Cape businessman due in court over R3.9m counterfeit goods
Suspected counterfeit cell phone accessories valued at more than R3.9 million were seized by customs officials in Gqeberha.
Bank staff and businessman among 8 arrested for Nedbank fraud
It is alleged that in December 2020 an amount of R500 000 was stolen from a Nedbank client’s account by a bank employee and transferred to a Funeral Directors account.
Two University of Fort Hare officials resign amidst fraud allegations
Two senior managers responsible for student funding allocations at the University of Fort Hare approved designated stores for students to purchase their study material and food, then allegedly accepted kickbacks from shop owners.
22 Oct 2021
Mkhize in court bid to set aside SIU’s findings on Digital Vibes
Mkhize has argued that the SIU report ended his career as a public servant.
Magashule corruption case postponed to 3 November for pre-trial hearing
Magashule and the co-accused, 10 individuals and five companies, face over 70 charges including theft, corruption and money laundering in connection with a R255 million asbestos roof eradication tender.
Alleged fraudster arrested for approximately R1.8 million of tax fraud
The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court heard on 18 October how an alleged fraudster, Sphesihle Floyd Nzimande (35), submitted false tax returns which allegedly caused the South African Revenue Services a loss of approximately R1.8 million.
SA failing to combat money laundering & terrorist financing
While progress has been made to combat money laundering and terrorist financing since the FATF’s last assessment on South Africa, in 2009, this is fragmented and superficial.
Mkhwebane opposes Mabuyane’s application to have graft report set aside
According to the public protector’s report, Mabuyane ‘improperly benefited from the misuse of public funds’.
15 Oct 2021
Two businessmen and former health department head arrested for tender fraud
Former Head, who once was a police officer, awarded security services tender irregularly to firm that submitted fraudulent documentation.
Police arrest suspected SASSA money launderers
Three suspects are facing charges of money laundering and being in possession of stolen goods after being found with 70 SASSA cards.
R20m of Abalone confiscated by Hawks in Western Cape
Nine foreign nationals were arrested for abalone smuggling and operating an illegal abalone processing facility in Welgemoed, Bellville.
Businessman arrested for defrauding Mpumalanga education department
A transport service provider submitted invoices for services that were never rendered, and during periods when schools were closed.
US man sentenced to 3 years in prison for drug money laundering
A Californian man was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for laundering more than U$900,000 in drug money over a two-year period via a “Black Market Peso Exchange” for Mexico-based drug traffickers.
8 Oct 2021
FSCA Annual report highlights FICA weaknesses
The 2020-1 report identified that Accountable Institutions have difficulty understanding their money laundering / terror financing risks and struggle to develop a customised Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP) or proper risk-based approaches/assessments.
Eastern Cape Education Official in court for R4m PPE fraud
The Hawks allege the supply chain director for the provincial education department, had authorised fraudulent payments – to the tune of R4 million – for a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to a company owned by her 30-year-old sister.
Suspended sentence for VAT fraud and money laundering
A Tshwane businesswoman was found to have fraudulently claimed VAT returns from SARS and received 12 years sentence for fraud and 15 year sentence for money laundering, both suspended for five years.
FBI arrest 11 Nigerian nationals over ‘romance’ fraud & money laundering
A US federal grand jury has indicted 11 Nigerians in the US for alleged fraud conspiracy, money laundering, mail & wire fraud around defrauding elderly victims in romance scheme.
$4.5bn money-laundering gang in Saudi Arabia jailed for 20 years
A group of 24 Saudis and expats carried out their criminal operations within an organised framework, under the cover of commercial facilities that included factories, companies, institutions and medical clinics.
1 Oct 2021
Ramaphosa authorises release of Digital Vibes report
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the release of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) final report into the health department’s irregular R150 million contract with Digital Vibes.
Man receives two 15-year prison term for fraud and money laundering R1.7m of North West municipality funds
The North West Hawks said that the money was transferred from the municipal account into an account purported to be that of the SA Post Office.
Western Cape man to appear in court over R3.1 million pyramid scheme
It’s alleged that the accused solicited funds from members of the public of just over R3.1 million that would be used to trade in cryptocurrency on forex platforms. The funds were instead laundered into various bank accounts, where it was used for personal gain.
Former bank employee sentenced to 8 years for fraud & money laundering
Whilst working at the bank the employee illegally transferred R536 000 to three different accounts belonging to family members and an unsuspecting account holder, from a bank account holder who won the lottery.
Former Free State mayor, CFO and service provider guilty of fraud and money laundering
Mandla Mamba, the former mayor of Nketoane, has been found guilty of fraud and money laundering through a duplicate invoicing scheme at the municipality.
17 Sept 2021
SA finds corruption ‘worsening’
A survey by Afrobarometer released by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation highlighted public perception that most citizens were dissatisfied with the way the government handles its fight against corruption and that a growing number of people feared retaliation if they reported corruption to the authorities.
Africa loses close to 90 billion dollars a year to illicit financial flows
Industry experts state that 60 percent of what leaves the continent through illicit financial outflows come from commercial and corporate activities, 35 percent from criminal activity and five percent from government corruption.
Hawks arrest Pretoria man with live abalone
The Hawks arrested a 26-year-old Pretoria man for allegedly being in illegal possession of abalone and attempting to bribe them with R10,000 to let him go.
SIU say R15.3 million tender for Limpopo’s Talana shacks fraudulent
The appointed service provider, Aventine Group CC, made misrepresentations and forged documents of industry experts.
Company director and acting municipal manager charged with tender fraud at the Mafube Local Municipality
It’s alleged that the former acting municipal manager, Nkabi Andrew Hlubi, received kickbacks after the Mafube Local Municipality awarded tenders worth an estimated R21million.
10 Sept 2021
Estina dairy farm: New accused to be added in fraud and money laundering case
Two new suspects facing charges of fraud and money laundering around the alleged procurement fraud involving R24.9 million was allegedly diverted to a company owned and controlled by the controversial Gupta family.
US real estate is haven for African money-laundering assets
The use of anonymous shell companies or complex corporate structures remained the number one money laundering typology, with 14 percent of the assets identified originating from Africa and over 50 percent of the reported cases involved politically exposed persons.
Court grants provisional restraint order to freeze R1.4bn assets
The Pretoria High Court issued a provisional restraint order to freeze the the assets and bank accounts of a group of individuals facing corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges relating to kickbacks related to Kusile Power Station.
SIU details health department’s R132m Digital Vibes contract corruption
Flouting of procurement processes and a 104% price inflation were highlights among the irregularities in the national health department’s contentious R132-million contract.
Crypto exchange Binance tightens anti-money laundering checks after regulatory pressure
Major cryptocurrency exchange Binance said on Friday it would demand stricter background checks on customers to bolster efforts against money laundering, with immediate effect.
3 Sept 2021
DA Councillor charged with food parcel fraud and money laundering
Money meant for food parcels in Atlantis was allegedly channelled to a Cape Town church with ties to the Councillor.
Ex-Transnet official must pay back millions
The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) Special Tribunal has ordered former head of Capital Projects to pay back R26.4m, due to inappropriate relationship with Transnet supplier IGS Consulting.
Annual AML survey highlights the challenges of compliance
Across the board, our survey respondents indicated that they experienced a significant uptick in regulatory reviews in 2020, with 71 percent of financial institutions across the globe citing increased regulatory scrutiny.
Durban man arrested in alleged house building scam
A Durban man’s eight-year crime spree came to end when police arrested him for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting victims of about R18m by claiming he was building houses at cost price and making off with their deposits.
Eastern Cape man fined and sentenced for R1.5m bank fraud
Capitec Bank in Graaff-Reinet was defrauded of R1.5 million between August 2016 and February 2017 when 13 loans were taken out at the bank using alleged fraudulent documentation.
13 Aug 2021
ISS: Africa is a new playground for crypto scams and money laundering
The Institute for Security Studies says crypto in Africa still offers options for fraudsters and cyber criminals abound after the world’s two largest scams were perpetrated in South Africa in the last year.
Another suspect arrested for VBS-related corruption
The Hawks arrested another suspect in Klerksdorp in connection with the looting and ultimate collapse of VBS Mutual Bank.
Suspect arrested for R50,000 bribe relating to PPE Deal
The suspect was arrested after offering and handing over R50 000 to a SIU investigator in order to have a case relating to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) corruption against his sister disappeared.
Rothschild brothers facing federal money laundering charges
Two brothers are facing federal charges of money laundering after prosecutors say they stole a quarter-million dollars posing as FedEx employees.
Chinese Broker laundered Latin American drug money around the world
A Chinese businessman laundered tens of millions of dollars in drug money through a Guatemalan casino, a US seafood export company, Miami banks, and Chinese bank accounts.
6 Aug 2021
Teacher and former principal bust over alleged ‘R3m tender fraud’
School governing body members including a teacher appeared in court on fraud and corruption charges over a security tender worth R3.1m.
SARS goes after alleged VBS looter who owes tax of R61m on ‘illicit’ income
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) wants its cut of money flowing to and from Limpopo businessman and alleged VBS Mutual Bank fixer, Kabelo Matsepe.
Suspended Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s son allegedly benefited from the Digital Vibes contract.
Dedani allegedly received more than R4.2 milion in electronic fund transfers (EFTs), including money for a car. This also allegedly included cash in plastic bags and cardboard boxes.
Money laundering ring pushed $4bn through HSBC
HSBC discovered a vast money-laundering ring moved $4.2bn through a network of 60 accounts in Hong Kong.
Jailed for 7 years over transnational drug money laundering network
A Hong Kong resident has been jailed for seven years in the US for trying to bribe an American government official to obtain US passports for a transnational money-laundering network.