Kenneth Simelane (64) and Tlhapelo Cordelia Mampane (43) appeared before the Witbank Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested for operating a loan shark business.
The couple appeared in court from Tuesday, April 10 until Thursday, April 12.
All the cards and passports that were confiscated from an illegal loan shark business in eMalahleni.
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in a joint operation with South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and National Credit Regulation (NCR) conducted a sting operation in Lynnville following up on information about an illegal money lending business.
SASSA cards were reportedly being confiscated in the process in exchange for the said loan amount which is a contravention of the National Credit Act (Act 34 of 2005).
ALSO READ
SASSA warns beneficiaries not to be tricked by fraudsters during festive season
Scared of being in debt? These are the debt traps you should avoid
The operation led to a house where cash, identity documents, driving licences, foreign passports, SASSA cards, bank cards and gift cards were found.
Mampane was arrested on the spot and appeared in the Witbank Magistrate Court on April 10; she was released with a warning.
Simelane was not in the house at the time. He was later arrested and appeared at the same magistrate court on April 21. He was also released with a warning. Both the accused are expected to appear in court on May 18.
A couple of SASSA cards were amongst the pack that were confiscated.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, has warned the public about the existence of unscrupulous lenders.
“People need to be responsible for their grant benefits and stop giving personal documents in exchange for illegal loans,” she said.
