A fugitive who escaped before sentencing in 2016 has been re-arrested after a decade-long manhunt, following his apprehension at O.R. Tambo International Airport on 23 September. Evaristo Kazingizi Kudaskwashe (35) was wanted for a series of financial crimes dating back to 2015, involving cloned bank cards that resulted in losses of over R108,000 to major banks.
The arrest was carried out by the Gqeberha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks, in a joint effort with Movement Control Officers of O.R. Tambo International Airport and the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, Kudaskwashe was apprehended by the team following the decade-long manhunt.
“Kudaskwashe made a brief court appearance before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court in Gauteng on 25 September, and the matter has since been postponed to 29 September for a hearing before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court.”
Mhlakuvana added that between July and August 2015, Kudaskwashe was allegedly working at a fuel station convenience centre in Wells Estate, Gqeberha, where he utilised a skimming device to fraudulently obtain electronic account information from bank cards. Case dockets were opened and an investigation by the Hawks ensued.
“Investigations revealed that about eight cloned bank cards were produced and used to execute 53 fraudulent transactions, which resulted in a combined financial loss of R108,250.36 to Standard Bank and Nedbank. Kudaskwashe was arrested by the joint team in 2015, and he was later granted bail,” he said.
In addition, Mhlakuvana said that Kudaskwashe was convicted on all counts on 2 June 2016, but he escaped before sentencing, which was scheduled for 4 August 2016. A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued, and he had been at large until his arrest this week by the team.
“The charges that Kudaskwashe was facing included multiple counts under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act and several counts of conspiracy to commit fraud under the Riotous Assemblies Act.”
Mhlakuvana added that Kudaskwashe remains in custody, and he is a prisoner in transit from Gauteng to appear before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 29 September.
