FACATA SCAM: INYANGA, 2 MORE SUSPECTS ARRESTED

SITEKI – A female traditional healer of KaBhundla is one of three more suspects who were arrested in connection with the ‘facata’ scam yesterday.   

At least 24 suspects have been arrested in connection with the ‘facata’ scam so far. They come from areas such as Mpaka, Malindza and Siteki. Scammers supposedly trick their targets into entering personal information on their cellphones, which allows them to remotely withdraw money from the victim’s Mobile Money (MoMo) and bank accounts. Last Friday, 11 of the alleged scammers appeared before Senior Manzini Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini. They have been charged with 28 counts. The offences involve contravening the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, as well as theft by false pretences.

The accused are: Lindelwa Fana Mbingo (19) of Thulwane, Celumusa Mdumseni Msibi (27) of Sithobelweni, Nhlanhla Maseko (21) of Thulwane, Wakhile Felix Mtsetfwa (19) of Thulwane, Sandile Wandile Matsenjwa (30) of KaBhudla, Wakhile Sanele Mamba (19) of Thulwane and Sipho Neliswa Mbingo (21) of Thulwane. Others are Nkosikhona Fisokuhle Maziya (24) of KaBhudla and Siyabonga Sakhile Ndlovu (22) of KaBhudla. Gcina Ndlovu (21) of KaBhudla and Mbongeni Bongani Maphalala (22). During the arrest of the two men in Siteki, police reportedly fired gunshots to stop them from fleeing. They were found hiding in a rented flat at Ntamakuphila, which is a crowded location situated about two kilometres from Siteki town.

Witnessed

According to an eyewitness, the incident happened at around 5am and some security guards witnessed the activity when police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department aboard two foreign-registered Toyota double cab vans, arrived at the home where there are one-room rental flats. The witness, who requested to remain anonymous, shared that the group of about 10 officers surrounded the homestead and four of them went to knock on the door of one of the rental rooms, armed with R5 assault rifles. The witness went on to narrate that the occupants of the room, sensing danger, tried to escape and one of them bolted through a widow, but the police managed to apprehend him, after firing several shots. He gave up and surrendered himself.

According to the witness, the police were alerted that the other members were residing in another home, situated in the same vicinity. He said the police proceeded to the next homestead, but did not find the people they were looking for, as they had already fled. A member of the community, who also declined to be named, said upon arrival at the other homestead, the police put their heads together and proceeded to one of the rooms. The police are said to have forced their way into the room and found one inside. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the arrest of the trio and mentioned that police are still investigating the matter.

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