Written by
Xolile Mtembu
Digital Journalist, IOL News
Caroline Diana Sserufusa, 37, and her company appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Klerksdorp, North West, on charges of fraud and money laundering.
According to Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), the case began in June 2023 when a 47-year-old woman met a Nigerian man named Chris while dating. After a few weeks, Chris allegedly persuaded her to retire from her job, claim her pension savings, and transfer the funds to him.
“The victim complied and, in July 2023, received a pension payout of R634,169, which she informed Chris about,” Malwetse stated.
Reports indicate that Chris visited the victim’s home in Jouberton township, asking for her banking app login details. He then allegedly transferred R610,000 to an account unknown to the complainant, and that was the last time she saw him. The incident was subsequently reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Klerksdorp.
Investigations revealed that the funds were transferred to a business account named TNH Collection and General Trading (Pty) LTD, of which Caroline Diana Sserufusa is the sole director.
On October 7, 2024, Sserufusa was arrested in Johannesburg. She appeared in court and was granted R8,000 bail. Her case has been postponed until October 25, 2024, to allow for legal representation.
Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, the Acting Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, and Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, praised the investigation and prosecution teams for their efforts to ensure that the accused face justice.