MTHATHA – The Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) successfully executed a warrant to re-arrest Tembisa Qinga (44), a former bank official in connection with an extensive fraud and money laundering scheme of more than R2.2 million.
She appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on 19 March.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the re-arrest follows Qinga’s failure to appear before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 26 February, breaching her bail conditions.
He said that during the period between March 2012 and July 2013, there were alleged irregularities which were brought to light following a series of complaints lodged by clients at Absa Bank, Mthatha Plaza.
Mhlakuvana said that a protracted and meticulous investigation by the bank’s forensic investigator ensued, which identified irregularities linked to disputed personal and flexi loan accounts at Mthatha Plaza Absa branch.
“Internal scrutiny, apparently supported by the branch manager, revealed that the accused who was employed as a Business Development Officer at the time, orchestrated a systematic and calculated scheme to defraud multiple clients,” said Mhlakuvana.
“Acting in gross violation of her fiduciary duties and professional obligations, Qinga allegedly unlawfully accessed and utilised clients’ personal banking credentials to initiate loans and establish flexi accounts without their knowledge or consent.”
Mhlakuvana said that a case docket was opened and handed over to the Hawks for probing.
He said that the investigation uncovered that the accused ostensibly channelled the proceeds of these illicit transactions into two Absa Bank accounts registered in the name of her minor child, over which she exercised control through a Power of Attorney.
According to the further probing, Mhlakuvana said that the cumulative financial prejudice suffered by the victims has been quantified to more than R2.2 million.
“The accused’s conduct reportedly reflected a sophisticated abuse of institutional systems, leveraging authorised access, unique banking credentials, and internal processes to execute the concealed fraudulent activities over a sustained period,” said Mhlakuvana.
Qinga was arrested by the Hawks on 25 July 2023, after which she was formally charged for fraud, theft, and money laundering.
She was granted bail by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
Mhlakuvana said Qinga attended only a few court proceedings before stopping altogether, leading to a warrant of arrest being issued and executed on 19 March.
He said that she has since appeared in court and was remanded in custody, where the matter was postponed to 30 March for legal representation and for a formal bail application.
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