Mzovukile Mfazwe (70) was convicted and sentenced to six years’ direct imprisonment by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on November 30, for charges of theft from his employer.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said during 2018, the company called Modelling Business Holding PTY Limited, based in the district of Mthatha, was in the business of buying the land for developments.
“The company was represented by two directors, namely Benjamin Mzovukile Mfazwe and Pumla Gadi, who is Mfazwe’s sister-in-law. The company had a business account with Nedbank and Mfazwe was appointed as a signatory to the business account. He was issued with the company credit card,” said Mgolodela.
She said Mfazwe instructed Nedbank to transfer R300 000 into his personal account; he then used business money for his personal enrichment. Mgolodela said Mfazwe further used the company credit card to buy groceries, parts for his private vehicle and food from restaurants, all to the value of R140 000. According to Mgolodela, the company lodged a complaint with the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, which culminated in the arrest of Mfazwe on August 15, this year.
“He appeared at the Mthatha Regional Court here he was released on a warning. The investigations revealed that the (accused had misused) more than R490 000. He appeared at the Mthatha Regional Court on several occasions until the matter was transferred to Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court, hence his recent conviction and sentencing.”
He was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment, of which four years is suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence again during this period. Mgolodela confirmed that he will spend six years incarcerated. The Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks received praise from the provincial head, Major General Obed Ngwenya, for their success.
