By Staff Reporter
TZANEEN-A portion of the R36 million siphoned from the estate of the late Zimbabwean businessman and socialite Obert Karombe was donated to a church based in Tzaneen.
According to Hawks Spokesperson Matimba Maluleke on 25 April 2022 the suspect Thendo Matenda who was an FNB consultant at the Makhado branch opened the profile the deceased Karombe immediately after he died in a vehicle accident without any authorisation.
Maluleke says that during the investigation, it was discovered that some of the stolen money was used to buy expensive cars and R3 million was donated to a certain church Tzaneen.
When the suspect was approached by the bank managers about the matter, he reportedly tendered his resignation letter with immediate effect.
Meanwhile on July 16, two suspects aged 28 and 43 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members in Johannesburg in relation to theft of over R36 million.
The suspects who are a couple allegedly received R6 million from one of the suspects in this case. The couple started to fight over the money when the sender requested it back.
Nomaphelo Sethi, 28, her Cameroonian boyfriend Rody Martial Nzeya, 43, and Thabiso Matenda appeared at the Makhado magistrate’s court in Limpopo on Monday on charges of theft. They are believed to be part of a syndicate that targets estates of deceased people.
“Some of the stolen money was allegedly donated to a certain church. Matenda is still in police custody after his bail was successfully opposed.
On Monday the court postponed the formal bail application of Sethi and Nzeya to July 22. Matenda is expected to also be present as the first accused in the case when the pair plead for bail.
