80 COUNTS FOR SUSPECTED ‘FACATA’ MASTERMINDS

MANZINI – The two key suspects believed to be the masterminds behind the infamous ‘facata’ scam are facing 80 counts.

The duo of Thabiso Sibonelo Thwala (27) of Thulwane and Menzi Mkhuleko Myeni (22) of KaBhudla appeared before Manzini Magistrate Justice Mzizi yesterday. They were represented by Maqhawe Dlamini of M.V. Dlamini Attorneys.

Criminal

The accused were brought to court after being apprehended at a luxurious lodge in the Lubombo Region, where they were reportedly enjoying the proceeds of their alleged criminal activities. Their arrest brings the total number of arrests related to the ‘facata’ scam to 34. It is said that through this scam, numerous individuals have been defrauded of millions of Emalangeni. The offences were carried out using sophisticated electronic methods, with the scammers reportedly tricking victims into entering their personal details on their mobile phones, allowing the perpetrators to remotely withdraw funds from the victims’ Mobile Money (MoMo) and bank accounts.

Thwala and Myeni’s charges include violations under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2018, theft by false pretences and the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011. The crimes are said to have been committed against various individuals in Mbabane, Nhlangano and Manzini, between April and October.
 The accused are believed to have deceived their victims into transferring sums such as E41 400, E152 325, and E438 217. They were remanded in custody and are scheduled to reappear in court in November 13.

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