Eight suspects, including a couple at the center of the operation, have been arrested for orchestrating a sophisticated scam that defrauded diamond investors of R4 billion. The arrests were carried out by the Hawks in Gauteng and North West, with the suspects set to appear in court on Thursday.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Philani Nkwalase, a multidisciplinary operation, led by the Northern Cape Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, resulted in the arrests. “The suspects are alleged to have been involved in the diamond investment scam since 2019, with more arrests imminent,” Nkwalase stated. The suspects will face charges of fraud, money laundering, theft, and racketeering.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, 32-year-old Morwamakgale Abram Maheso was arrested by the Hawks for an R800,000 insurance fraud. Maheso had allegedly attempted to defraud Liberty Group by using a fraudulent bank account linked to Ngwathe Local Municipality. He was arrested on 15 October 2024 and has already appeared in court.
Maheso is accused of applying for a business investment policy under false pretenses, using the municipality’s bank account to siphon off R800,000. Investigations into both cases are ongoing.
