Alleged swindler arrested in Barberton after five years
Motha, who had been evading arrest since 2015, was arrested in Barberton yesterday.
Sipho Casta Motha (42) briefly appeared in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court yesterday. He had been evading police since May 2015 after having allegedly scammed an unsuspecting business owner of R150 000.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Mbombela, with the assistance of Bossies Community Justice, apprehended Motha in Barberton yesterday.
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The Hawks’ spokesperson, Capt Dineo Sekogotdi, said Motha’s case was circulated widely after the Western Cape police requested assistance in the investigation.
“In June 2014, the suspect allegedly posed as a truck dealer and received approximately R150 000 from a business owner who wanted a truck for business purposes.
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“The victim travelled from Western Cape to Johannesburg to fetch the heavy-duty vehicle that was never received,” said Sekgotodi.
A case was lodged in Cape Town and information was received that Motha had gone to ground in Mpumalanga.
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“He was arrested in Barberton on Tuesday following an intensive search by the Hawks,” she added.
Motha was remanded in custody and will appear in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on February 2.
