One of the former Capitec Bank employee is among three people involved in a loan scam in Graaf Reinet, to the tune of R1.5 million.

One of them, 36-year-old Heinrich Presensie was convicted by Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime court on Wednesday, 9 June 2021, after pleading guilty to charges of fraud and money laundering.

While the former bank staffer, 35-year-old Zakiya Mahomed is believed to have already been sentenced in the early stages of the trial. The third co-accused, 30-year-old Ashley Le Roux hasn’t pleaded and continues to go on trial, with the matter set for 29 June.

According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, between August 2016 and February 2017, Mahomed (bank employee), Presensie and Le Roux fraudulently orchestrated 13 loans from Capitec Bank in Graaf Reinet.

“The modus operandi was that Heinrich and Ashley would transport desperate clients from Joubertina to come and apply for loans in the bank.

The two would further assist with manufacturing false documentation,” said Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela.

“It is reported that huge loans were processed and approved for undeserving clients. It is further said that the accused received most of the loan money, whereas the clients only received a small amount. Most of the clients were not aware of the orchestration and had an impression that everything was legitimate”

According to the Hawks, the bank lodged a complaint with the Gqeberha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team. The matter was then probed and eventually, the trio was handcuffed on 12 February 2021.

They were subsequently released on R1000 bail each on the very same day.

“Zakiya, the bank employee soon pleaded guilty and got sentenced during the early stages of the trial whereas Heinrich pleaded guilty on 09 June 2021 to all charges assuming responsibility for theft of more than R500 000.

He will be sentenced on 3 August 2021. On the other hand, Ashley decided to pursue the trial route of which the matter is remanded to 29 June 2021,” Mgolodela said.