VANDERBIJLPARK.- The 42-year-old suspect turned down a bail application, refusing to apply.
Speaking to one of his victims, an elderly widow outside the court, she told Sedibeng Ster that she had spent her entire retirement pension funds amounting to R150 000 by giving it to the suspect to buy an RDP house on her behalf. Now the rightful owner of the house has come back demanding the property back. Another woman is said to have spent her ‘last cent’ only to find out that the plot she bought, at Theoville in Vanderbijlpark, was still owned by another person. Approaching the person whose name was on the documents, mentioned as the owner, it was discovered that he is not the legitimate owner of the plot.
“To date I have spent millions to fix the plot. I have invested in this plot,” said a 54-year-old mother.
On how they found themselves caught up in the scam, they said that this was after meeting an employee at the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) rates and taxes offices. The victims said that they placed all their trust in the employee who referred them to the lawyer (suspect). The alleged ELM employee, a woman, could end up being suppoened to court as the case unfolds.
Police Spokesperson Sergeant, Gertrude Makhale said that the case will probably drag on for a while as investigations continue and that the suspect was operating in Vanderbijlpark before relocating to Vereeniging. Makhale said that the suspect has been charged with fraud. At least eight victims have opened cases against the suspect.
The case was postponed to 12 October for further investigations and he will remain in custody.
