The Mthatha based serious commercial crimes investigation unit has arrested eight suspects on charges of numerous counts of petrol card fraud.
The arrest of the eight, namely, Lindile Promise Bele (40), Mbingeleli Sokanyile (35), MfundoNomquphu (29), Lebona Mofoka (38), Gcobani Ngcana (24), Mzwandile Manciya (22), Mziwanele Tshewula (24) and Thamsanqa Dlomo (24) was made on January 26 and 27.
They all appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on January 27, where Bele was released on R5 000 bail, and the rest were released on warning.
“It is alleged that from October to November 2022, petrol cards of five Emergency Medical Services (EMS) state vehicles from Qumbu Base were fraudulently used, whereas those vehicles were grounded due to mechanical problems.”
“It is alleged that Sokanyile, who was a supervisor at a service station in Mthatha was given petrol cards to steal the petrol. Sokanyile allegedly gave the petrol cards to attendants to use them as if they were utilised by EMS vehicles. Allegations are that the petrol attendants would receive R20.00 each from the received cash,” said Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela.
“The matter was reported to the Hawks for an intensive probing culminating in the arrest of the eight. The investigation revealed that the garage was prejudiced cash to the value of R32 000,” Mgolodela added.
The matter was remanded to February 20, 2023, for legal representation.
