A R15 million fraud case in Mpumalanga has unveiled a syndicate allegedly collaborating with court officials, a fake lawyer, and a Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) official to exploit individuals awaiting their payouts.
So far, five individuals have been arrested and released on bail. Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Capt. Dineo Sekgotodi confirmed that 16 victims have come forward, with more families affected.
One victim, Lindiwe Nkosi, whose aunt lost nearly R3 million, expressed her desire for the alleged kingpin and bogus lawyer, Tshepo Mahlako of TC Mahlako Attorneys, to face severe punishment alongside a plea for financial restitution. “We don’t want sentencing only for this man; we also want our monies because we are suffering,” she stated.
Mahlako, 43, alongside Duncan Mohale, Thobile Nkosi, Adelaide Manana, and Bongani Tsobolo, was arrested on May 2 and charged with fraud and money laundering. The Hawks revealed that Mahlako, a former clerk at the KaBokweni magistrate’s court, falsely presented himself as a qualified lawyer, becoming a go-to figure for victims seeking to claim their loved ones’ inheritances.
His tactics involved colluding with government officials to lure victims into using his services to reclaim their inheritance from the government pension fund. However, once the funds were received, he would vanish, leaving many clients without a cent.
Nkosi, 35, is a GEPF employee accused of directing victims to Mahlako, claiming she could expedite their payments. Mohale and Manana worked as administrators at Mahlako Attorneys, while Tsobolo was alleged to have enticed victims to use their services.
Mahlako was released on R60,000 bail, while Nkosi, Mohale, and Manana were granted R30,000 bail each. The state opposed Tsobolo’s bail application, noting he had committed similar crimes while already out on bail.
Victims reported that they were initially referred to Mahlako by court officials, who suggested he could assist with their claims. After initial consultations, many were unable to reach him, leading them to search for his offices, only to discover he had moved.
Nkosi shared her family’s plight, noting that her aunt, a pensioner, was supposed to receive R2.97 million but has since fallen ill, relying on a meager government pension.
Another victim, Noxolo Mndawe, recounted her experience of being referred to Mahlako by a high court official after her husband’s passing. Despite the bank sending R137,000 to Mahlako’s account, she has yet to receive any funds.
Mahlako, Mohale, Nkosi, Manana, and Tsobolo are scheduled to appear in court again on June 24. Allegations indicate that Mahlako frequently changed his business location, making it difficult for victims to track him down.
