Thembi Aretha Mhlanga, a former police constable in South Africa, is facing multiple legal challenges, including fraud charges and accusations related to rhino poaching. Mhlanga was arrested for alleged bank card fraud and is also one of four accused in a major rhino poaching case.
A former police constable in South Africa is facing multiple legal issues, including fraud charges and accusations related to rhino poaching . Thembi Aretha Mhlanga (47), who previously served at the Skukuza Police Station, was arrested on January 3rd alongside Sarel Sithole (37) for allegedly swapping a bank card belonging to a 71-year-old woman.
The incident occurred at the Dayizenza Shopping Complex in Masoyi, where Mhlanga and Sithole convinced the victim there was no network at the ATM and directed her to try withdrawing money at a nearby supermarket. At the supermarket, the victim realized her bank card had been replaced, and upon checking with the local Sassa offices, discovered that R1,700 had already been withdrawn from her account. The police traced and arrested the suspects on January 6th. Mhlanga was granted R1,000 bail, while Sithole was remanded in custody due to other pending cases. Both were scheduled to appear in the Masoyi Periodical Court on January 10th, but the case was postponed to the following Wednesday. Mhlanga's career as a police officer ended after her previous arrest in connection with rhino poaching cases. She is now one of four accused in those cases, alongside alleged rhino poaching kingpin Joseph 'Big Joe' Nyalungu, Claude Lubisi, and Rachel Qwebana. Together, they face over 40 counts related to rhino poaching, illegal rhino horn sales, racketeering, money laundering, theft, fraud, corruption, and contravening the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998. They are due to appear in the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court on January 12th.The severity of the rhino poaching case has been heightened by two tragic assassinations. Chief Clyde Mnisi and Petrus Mshengu Mabuza, who were also among the accused, were assassinated in 2021 and 2023 respectively. This underscores the dangerous nature of this criminal operation and the risks faced by those involved in combating it
Rhino Poaching Fraud Corruption South Africa Police Assassination
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Boyfriend Appears in Court for Christmas Eve Murder of Tshwane Metro Police OfficerJohn Manyaba, the ex-boyfriend of slain Tshwane Metro Police officer Constable Ramaabele Mothapo, appeared briefly in court on Monday after being apprehended in Limpopo. Manyaba allegedly shot and killed Mothapo on Christmas Eve at her Pretoria West home.
Read more »
Police Officer and Man Exchange Assaults at North West Police StationA police officer and a civilian have opened assault charges against each other following a physical altercation at a North West police station. The incident began as an argument at a barber shop and escalated when the officer allegedly chased the complainant into the police station and assaulted him.
Read more »
Police Officer Accused of Rape at Mfuleni Police StationA 41-year-old police officer in South Africa is facing rape charges after allegedly assaulting a 26-year-old female detainee at the Mfuleni Police Station. The State alleges a history of abuse and a previous attempt to rape another detainee.
Read more »
Former Telkom Executive Joins MAZIV as Group Chief Commercial OfficerPhila Dube, a seasoned telecommunications professional with over 26 years of experience at Telkom, has been appointed as the Group Chief Commercial Officer at MAZIV. Dube brings a wealth of expertise in strategic leadership, revenue growth, and customer engagement from his previous roles at Openserve and Telkom. He is eager to contribute to MAZIV's fiber connectivity landscape.
Read more »
Former School Financial Officer Sentenced for Embezzling Over R500,000Lilian Lynette Rieger Adonis, a financial officer at Fort Beaufort Primary School, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing more than R500,000 from the school between January 2017 and July 2018. Investigations revealed that Adonis failed to deposit school funds within the required timeframe, leaving some unbanked for up to 80 days. Despite denying any knowledge of the missing funds, evidence pointed to Adonis as the sole handler of the school's finances.
Read more »
Hawks Arrest Suspect in Police Officer Murder CaseSive Sigobo was arrested by the Hawks for the alleged murder of Warrant Officer Siyakubonga Mphakathi in June 2022. The case had previously been struck from the court roll due to administrative issues.
Read more »