A specialist engineer, Xolela Masebeni (30) and his girlfriend, Athembile Mpani (20) appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 02 February 2022, with the charges of theft, fraud and money laundering.
According to the Gauteng Regional Spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, both accused were released on bail of R50 000 each and will be back in court on 14 March 2022 as the case was postponed for further investigations.
Mjonondwane stated that the bail conditions amongst others are that they should not dispose or destroy any of the assets mentioned in their affidavits for purpose of the bail application.
Masebeni is barred from entering the premises of ABSA and accessing their database or storage system.
“Furthermore, both accused are not allowed to leave the Eastern Cape without written permission from the investigating officer.
“The charges emanate from allegations that Masebeni siphoned R103 million from his employer, ABSA bank between September to December 2021, and transferred it into six accounts, including that of his co-accused and girlfriend,” Mjonondwane added.
She mentioned that the alleged fraudulent transactions were uncovered by ABSA’s Forensic Division and they reported the matter to the law enforcement authorities.
“Masebeni was arrested by the Hawks in Queenstown on 19 January 2022. The case was then transferred to Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court as the alleged crime happed in Sandton,” Mjonondwane concludes.
