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The hawks have made more arrests in the VBS affair.
Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images
- The Hawks arrested several people in morning raids in connection with the looting of VBS Mutual Bank.
- They were detained at various locations in Gauteng and Limpopo.
- They will be charged with theft, fraud, corruption, money laundering and extortion.
Five people are in custody in connection with the VBS Mutual Bank looting allegations, following morning raids by the Hawks on Thursday.
The Hawks carried out the raids at various locations in Gauteng and Limpopo. Some people surrendered. They are expected to be charged with theft, fraud, corruption, money laundering and extortion and are scheduled to appear in court on Friday.
“Suspects arrested include a managing director of VBS [who was] responsible for the retail sale; former COO of VBS and CEO of Vele Investments; four commissioners and an official from a political party in Limpopo, “Hawks spokeswoman Katlego Mogale said in a statement.
ANC Limpopo treasurer Danny Msiza and former provincial youth league leader Kabelo Matsepe are believed to be among the group of people in custody.
Members of the ANC Limpopo party who are aware of the matter told News24 that Msiza was part of the group and Matsepe’s lawyer, Ulrich Kruger, confirmed to News24 that his client was among those expected to appear in court on Friday. .
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amaBhungane previously reported that Matsepe allegedly acted as Msiza’s representative.
“Their constant mediation between VBS and the municipalities is widely documented in the WhatsApp messages that emerged in the judicial processes,” the publication reported.
Mogale also said that an employee of the local Collins Chabane Township in Limpopo was arrested.
Money
“The suspect is arrested in a separate case that is related to investments of municipal funds in the VBS. It is alleged that the suspect has violated the Municipal Finance Management Law, corruption and money laundering,” Mogale said.
Three more people were expected to turn themselves in during the course of the day.
In January, seven defendants in the VBS Mutual Bank fraud case appeared in court and the matter was postponed to add additional defendants and charges “emanating from new information available to the state,” News24 reported at the time. .
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Among the defendants are former VBS President Tshifhiwa Matodzi, who was described as the alleged “kingpin” of the looting scheme, VBS Executive Director Andile Ramavhunga, former VBS Treasurer Phophi Mukhodobwane, and the former non-executive members of the VBS board, Ernest Nesane and Paul Magula.
The VBS indicted in the Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge in an earlier appearance.
Former KPMG engagement partner Sipho Malaba and Phalaphala Avhashoni Ramikosi, former chief financial officer of the South African Police Service, are co-defendants.
They previously told the court that they were innocent and pleaded not guilty to the charges. They are out on bail.
An eighth defendant, former VBS CFO Philip Truter, pleaded guilty to various charges against him, including extortion fraud, corruption, money laundering, and violation of tax laws.
He was sentenced to an effective seven years in prison. He has also cooperated with the State, filed an affidavit and is expected to testify on behalf of the State in the main trial.
– Additional information from Russel Molefe
