Former bank employee embezzles R130,000 from clients
Rachel Tsakani Bloko has appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court after being arrested for fraud involving more than R130,000.
Image: IOL graphics
A former bank employee has been arrested and appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud involving over R130,000.
Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba stated that Rachel Tsakani Bloko allegedly siphoned the funds by fraudulently applying for loans in the names of unsuspecting clients.
“The suspect used the personal credentials of bank clients without their knowledge to secure personal loans for herself. The victims only became aware of the loans when the bank notified them of unsettled accounts,” Mashaba explained.
A warrant of arrest was issued, and Bloko was taken into custody on Monday. The case was investigated by the provincial commercial crime investigation unit.
She appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was granted R5,000 bail. The case has been postponed to October 22 for further investigation.
Earlier this month, IOL reported that a bank teller who, along with two co-accused, allegedly embezzled over R3.9 million from client accounts, pleaded guilty to the charges. Bonginkosi Praise Khoza, 28, admitted to his role in the unauthorised transactions and is now awaiting sentencing.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said Khoza, along with a bank manager identified as Selby Khoza and a fellow teller, Winny Mashaba, allegedly made off with R3,950,941 in fraudulent transactions in August 2016.
The trio was arrested a year later, in 2017, by the Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation team on charges of fraud, theft, and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, confirmed the latest developments in the case.
"Bonginkosi Praise Khoza pleaded guilty to all the charges against him on Monday, September 4, 2025," said Nkosi.
"He was found guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2025. The other two suspects have maintained their innocence, and their bail was extended. They will appear in court alongside Khoza during his sentencing."
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