BLOEMFONTEIN – The criminal case against Muzi Belman Mathaba (49) pertaining to a get-rich-quick scam is scheduled to continue in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court with hearings on 2 and 6 March. He is accused of operating a bogus scheme, allegedly defrauding 404 victims.
Mathaba is facing charges that include fraud, money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) for the illicit handling of investor funds, and contravention of financial law. His court appearance followed his arrest after an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Bloemfontein, which dates back to 2015.
According to WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, appearance of the accused is part of the ongoing investigation. She said that the victims had lost more than R5,5 million combined.
The investors reportedly deposited money into Mathaba’s bank account for his bogus investment scheme, promising 100% dividend returns within 14 days. However, nothing was paid to any of the investors.
Matoti said that after the victims did not receive any returns, they came forward with information, leading to the registration of the fraud case docket.
Mathaba, who had been released, but later failed to attend court hearings, was sentenced to a fine of R2 000 for contempt of court in March last year. This was due to his failure appear regarding alleged fraud committed in 2015.
