Former Standard Bank employee Thandeka Mlangeni (34) has been slapped with a lengthy prison term, joining her boyfriend, Hopewell Mpanduli Daguma, who is already serving ten years for defrauding a client of the bank of R1.5 million. The Harrismith Magistrates’ Court sentenced Mlangeni to 26 years on Friday (05/05).
She was convicted in September last year, but the sentencing was postponed. Mlangeni’s sentencing has ended the matter which has been ongoing since February 2020, following the bank’s discovery of the fraud.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said the court sentenced Mlangeni to six years imprisonment on the count of fraud, which is wholly suspended for five-years.
“On each count of money laundering and contravention of the Electronic Communications and Transactions (ECT) Act, she was sentenced to ten years’ direct imprisonment. The sentences will run concurrently and Mlangeni will serve ten years’ direct imprisonment,” said Singo.
Daguma is already serving part of a ten-year sentence for his role in defrauding the client. He was sentenced in April 2021. The lovers’ sentencing is the culmination of investigations by the bank’s forensic team and the Hawks’ Priority Crime Specialised Investigation team in Bethlehem.
Singo said Mlangeni opened a fraudulent bank card using a client’s details, which was then used to transfer R1 million into Daguma’s fraudulent account. He said the bank reported the matter after making the discovery in February 2020.
“Investigations revealed the fraudulent card was used to withdraw a further R500 000 from the victim’s account. A further R51 000 was also withdrawn from the same victim’s account between January and February 2020,” said Singo.
Daguma had his bail revoked after he was re-arrested for failing to comply with the conditions set. Singo said once released on bail, he sold the car he had purchased with a portion of the stolen money for R125 000.
