Louws Greek, South Africa – On Thursday, 15 August 2024, Samuel Mashava (28), Manual Mathonzi (22), and Bernarto Mashava (22) were found guilty and sentenced by the Louws Greek periodical court for committing fraud and violating immigration laws.
Their convictions followed a successful undercover operation by the Hawks, which resulted in the arrest of the trio on 24 April 2024 near the Nkomazi tollgate on the N4 highway. The Hawks, in collaboration with forensic investigators from FNB and Nedbank, uncovered a scam in which the accused used stolen or counterfeit bank cards to assist truck and vehicle drivers with toll gate payments.
The suspects would swipe the stolen cards to grant access to the toll gates in exchange for cash. During their arrest, it was discovered that they were also in South Africa illegally, lacking proper passports or immigration permits. The stolen FNB and Nedbank credit cards were found in their possession, which had been reported as stolen.
Sentencing and Deportation Orders
- Manual Mathonzi (22): Found in possession of credit cards that caused a loss of R2,617.00. He was sentenced to two counts under Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, with a fine of R3,000 or 6 months imprisonment, and ordered to be deported back to his home country.
- Bernarto Mashava (22): In possession of credit cards causing a loss of R5,118.00. He was sentenced to R3,000 or 6 months imprisonment for one count, and an additional R1,000 or 3 months imprisonment for the second count. He will also be deported to his country of origin.
- Samuel Mashaba (28): Found in possession of credit cards, leading to a loss of R1,945.00. He was sentenced to R2,000 or 6 months imprisonment for the first count, and R1,000 or 3 months imprisonment for the second count. He, too, will be deported.
The court confirmed the convictions, and the trio will be deported to their respective countries once their sentences have been served.