EVANDER – Ms Phindile Shabangu and her fiancé, Mr Themba Thobela, made a brief appearance in the Evander Regional on Tuesday, 25 February, on charges of fraud and theft.
The case was postponed to 23 March. Ms Shabangu remains in custody while Mr Thobela is currently out on bail.
Ms Shabangu, who was working at a local bank, is said to have stolen R632 210 from her employer.
The charge sheet states that on count one R121 000 was stolen during the period of 12 December 2018 to 14 June last year, R71 210 in count two was stolen on 18 June 2019 and count three indicates that R400 000 was stolen on 18 June. Count four reveals that R40 000 was taken between 21 May and 18 June.
Alarms were raised when clients noticed money was not reflecting in their accounts.
They apparently paid money into their business accounts, but the money was later allegedly reversed or otherwise withdrawn by Ms Shabangu.
The bank opened a case against Ms Shabangu and she was subsequently arrested on 20 June at the home affairs office in Komatipoort.
It is believed Ms Shabangu was trying to flee the country.
The bank had questioned Ms Shabangu regarding the missing R400 000, and the next day she failed to turn up for work.
Mr Thobela was arrested in August while visiting Ms Shabangu in prison.
He was arrested on charges of defeating the ends of justice.
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