Fraud charges follow R100,000 loan scandal involving Limpopo woman

The Gravelotte Magistrate's Court in Limpopo has granted bail to 42-year-old Rose Lekhanya, who was arrested on fraud charges.

Lekhanya, facing allegations of defrauding her employer, was released on bail set at R10,000, with her case now postponed until September to allow for further police investigations.

Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks, said Lekhanya was arrested by the Phalaborwa-based Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit on allegations of fraud amounting to around R100,000.

“During 2018, the suspect was working in the office of human resources executive of a mine in Gravelotte. She allegedly borrowed money from the employer under the pretense that her mother was admitted to the private hospital, and she has run out of money for payments,” said Mmuroa.

Lekhanya allegedly submitted hospital documents to the employer as proof that she needed the funds.

“The mine allegedly loaned her cash amounting to over R99 000. The suspect failed to pay back money until she resigned from the mine,” said Mmuroa.

The mine later launched investigations and discovered that Lekhanya’s mother was never admitted to the hospital. 

“Subsequently, a case docket of fraud was opened at Gravelotte police station, and transferred to the Phalaborwa-based Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation unit for further handling,” said Mmuroa.

The Hawks investigations established that Lekhanya had submitted fraudulent hospital documents to the mine, in a bid to get the loan.

After completion of the investigations, the matter was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for decision. As a result, the NPA issued a warrant of arrest against Lekhanya.

The woman was traced and arrested by the Hawks in Honeydew, Gauteng, on Thursday last week. 

Lekhanya appeared before the Gravelotte Magistrate’s Court, where her case was postponed to 15 September.  

Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender welcomed Lekhanya’s arrest.

Govender also appealed to employers to be vigilant when dealing with external documents brought by employees.

On Tuesday, IOL reported that a 27-year-old Limpopo man, Jason Khomotjo Rantho, was remanded behind bars after he was arrested by the Hawks for fraud during the purchase of a top-of-the-range Ford Raptor.

Rantho initially appeared in court on Monday after he was nabbed by the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation unit and the Sekhukhune tracing team at Groblersdal in Limpopo.

“It is alleged that during April 2023, the accused applied for motor vehicle finance at WesBank to purchase a Ford Ranger Raptor valued at over R1.3 million.

“The accused allegedly attached the bank statement and the employer's payslip as requested,”  said Mmuroa.

“The application was processed and approved.”