South Africans nabbed for stealing R57m from Central Bank of Lesotho appear in court
The trio appeared in the Ficksburg Magistrates Court in the Free State this week for fraud and money laundering charges.
Picture: @SAPoliceService/Twitter
JOHANNESBURG - Three South Africans have been arrested for allegedly stealing R57 million from the Central Bank of Lesotho.
The trio appeared in the Ficksburg Magistrates Court in the Free State this week for fraud and money laundering charges.
It's understood that the Hawks were requested by their counterparts in Lesotho to track money stolen from the central bank.
Free State spokesperson for the Hawks Fikiswa Matoti: “This crime was committed with the assistance of Lesotho officials who, after intercepting vouchers meant for legitimate service providers, diverted payments to their co-conspirators in South Africa.”
She added that some of the officials were already before court in Lesotho.
“With the help of the Financial Intelligence Centre, it was established that money was channeled to a South African bank under different company accounts,” said Matoti.
The accused will return to court on 13 March to apply for bail.