JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has arrested a 48-year-old man, believed to be part of a criminal syndicate behind a series of high-value coltan scams across Gauteng.
The suspect, Bovic Tshibangu, appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court following his October 5 arrest at a club in Yeoville, Johannesburg. He faces fraud charges related to a fake coltan investment deal.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, Tshibangu allegedly posed as a mining executive and defrauded a woman of more than R1 million in a bogus mineral transaction.
Investigations revealed that Tshibangu met the victim in August 2023, introducing himself as “Mike” and claiming to work for a mining company called IRWD. After befriending her, he convinced her to fund the purchase of a “special chemical” supposedly required to process coltan — a mineral used in electronics manufacturing.
Police said Tshibangu borrowed a total of R1 million from the complainant under the pretense of purchasing the chemical, only for her to later discover that the deal was a scam orchestrated by a fraud syndicate.
The case was first reported at Midrand SAPS and later transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit.
Further investigations linked Tshibangu to another R2 million fraud case, in which five other suspects — Rejoyce Keseke, Lindiwe Makelele, Zingah Mpoyi, Sylvano Kayembe, and Lars Niehaus — have already been arrested on theft, fraud, and money laundering charges. That case remains before the courts.
Both of Tshibangu’s cases have been postponed to October 10 and 21, 2025, for formal bail applications.
Hawks Gauteng provincial head Major General Ebrahim Kadwa commended investigators for their “professionalism and unwavering dedication” in uncovering the complex web of coltan-related scams.
“These scammers prey on unsuspecting victims, often targeting those perceived to have wealth,” Kadwa said. “We urge the public to report any suspicious individuals or transactions to the Hawks.”
The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Unit continues to investigate the expanding coltan scam network, which has defrauded several victims under the guise of high-value mineral trading.
