FACATA ACCUSED: COLLEAGUE SENT ME TO WITHDRAW CASH

MBABANE – One of the people who have been arrested for the ‘facata’ scams has alleged that he was sent to withdraw Unayo vouchers by a colleague who was injured.

 He claimed that the man was  unable to walk on his own. Phumlani Mabuza (24) of Mafutseni denied knowledge or involvement in the ‘facata’ scams. He said he was surprised when the police arrested him for the theft of various amounts of money totalling E31 520.

Mabuza narrated that around January this year he moved to Mafutseni to look for employment. He said he met Menzi Myeni, who introduced him to his cousin, Andile Mamba. He said even though they did not offer him employment, they offered to teach him the job so he would develop his skills.

He made these allegations in his application for bail which he filed at the High Court. The application was heard by Judge Bonginkhosi Magagula yesterday.

 Mabuza told the court that Myeni and Mamba were self-employed and worked as roofers and tile installers. He said they took him in and he worked as they assistant. The accused informed the court that he ended up sharing a room with Myeni.

 He stated that around July 2024, Mamba got involved in an accident at a construction site . He said Mamba fell from the roof of a client’s house and sustained injuries. As a result of the injuries, Mamba, according to Mabuza, was unable to walk on his own and he now relies on crutches for balance.

 “Menzi saw it fit to invite him to stay with us as he needed assistance with his day to day routine. It was during that period that Andile requested me to help him withdraw money from Standard Bank ATMs using Unayo vouchers. He would give me the vouchers and I would withdraw money on the strength that it was his money as there is no way he could have vouchers with him that were not sent to him.

 “At all material times, I laboured under the belief that this was money that his clients were paying him for the work he had done for them. I was just assisting him as he could not afford to stand in the long lines at the bank's ATM,” Mabuza informed the court. According to Mabuza, he believed that the money was for payment for worked done since he had been working with them for a period of four months and he had a large clientele.

 “I was surprised when I was arrested by police officers claiming they had video footage of me at Standard Bank ATMs. Had I known that what I was doing was a crime, I would have refused to help him withdraw the money.

 “This is a clear demonstration that I was not aware that my actions amounted to a criminal offence. I must bring it to the attention of the court that I did not intentionally commit any offence nor benefit from the said offence,” he further told the court.

 The accused said he is innocent of the charges he is facing and will plead not guilty during the trial. He said he has great prospects of success because he has a good defence to the charges.

 Mabuza was arrested on October 18, 2024 by Manzini police. He was charges with five counts of theft, which were committed between July and September.Mabuza, according to the charge sheet, is alleged to have stolen E2 400 belonging to Thandi Simelane. The offence was committed at Lonhlupheko in the Lubombo Region.

 In August 2024, he allegedly stole E2 681 from Dumsile Dlamini, at Nhlambeni in the Manzini Region. In the same month, he is accused of stealing E10 617, which belonged to Mcondzisi Mavimbela in Manzini.

In September, the accused is alleged to have stolen E15 334 from Dumsani Dlamini in Pigg’s Peak. He also allegedly stole E488 from Lindiwe Dlamini in Mbabane.Mabuza told the court that it would not be in the interest of justice to release him on bail. His bail application was to be heard by Judge Bonginkhosi Magagula. However, the Crown indicated that it was opposed to his release on bail. The Crown, which was represented by Crown Counsel Mbutfo Mbingo, will file its papers outlining reasons for the opposition in due course.

 Reduced bail for wonam helping investigation

MBABANE – One of the two women, who were arrested for the ‘facata’ scams, has agreed to cooperate with the police in their investigations; as a result she was granted reduced bail.

Lindiwe Portia Zwane (35) of KaBhudla under Chief Phica was granted E15 000 bail yesterday. However, she was ordered to pay E1 500 in cash and the balance is to be in the form of surety.

When her bail application came before Judge Bonginkhosi Magagula, the court was informed that Zwane was not present in court as she was still at the police station.

Crown Counsel Kingsley Masango told the court that Zwane, who is the business of buying and selling cars, agreed to cooperate with the police, hence the reduced bail amount she was ordered to pay.

Zwane was charged with three counts of theft. She was charged together with Senzo Ndzimandze (30) of Mkhulamini under Chief Malunge. They are alleged stolen E80 087 from three individuals between July and August 2024.

In July, they are alleged to have stolen E50 000 from Lucky Motsa in Manzini. In the same month, they allegedly stole E18 808 from Patrick Mkhonta in Mbabane. They are further accused of stealing E11 279 from Stephen Simelane in Mbabane.

In her application for bail, Zwane told the court that she was arrested by police under the Commercial Crimes and Fraud Unit based in Manzini. She said she appeared at Manzini Magistrates Court where and her co-accused were remanded in custody.

 She denied committing the offence. “I did not commit the alleged offences and also I have been co-operative with the police investigation. I also volunteered every information that they needed. During trial, I will maintain my plea of not guilty. I further submit that I have a defence in the matter. I sold a motor vehicle to wit a Toyota Corolla to one Sibonelo Sikhondze and there was a balance owing for the purchase price.

“Then around July 2024, I called him for the balance and he said he was going to pay me. He eventually called and sent me an inContact text message, and advised me to withdraw as part payment of the balance of the purchase price. I duly went to the ATM and withdrew the money. I was then perplexed when the police called me to report to the police station, wherein I was charged with the offences of theft,” Zwane narrated.

She argued that, had it not been for the text message sent by Sibonelo Sikhodze to withdraw the money, she would not have been charged because ‘I did not commit the said offence’.

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