4TH WOMAN AS TRIO TAKES ‘FACATA’ ARRESTS TO 45

MANZINI – Despite the numerous arrests already made in connection with the ‘facata’ scam, three additional suspects have been apprehended this month for allegedly defrauding individuals through electronic means. Sibonelo Maphalala (19) of Thulwane, Seluleko Rosewell Dlamini (25) of Thulwane and Delisile Nomphilo Dlamini (26) of Mkhulamini have brought the total number of arrests in the ‘facata’ scam to 45. Delisile is the fourth woman to be arrested for ‘facata’ scams. The trio appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate Florence Msibi, facing a total of 55 charges, including contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (2018), the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act (2011) and theft by false pretences. In the first charge, the accused are said to have violated the Prevention of Organised Crime Act in January 2025, at or near Mvembili in the Hhohho Region.

They are accused of acting together as members of a criminal gang, obtaining and stealing E980 from Sizakele Thabile Zulu for the benefit of their group. In another count, the suspects allegedly stole E2 700 from Siphiwe Shongwe in January at Nkwalini, once again acting as part of their criminal enterprise. They reportedly misled Shongwe by claiming that her phone number had been cloned and that she needed to deposit money to restore it. Under this false pretence, they allegedly obtained her mobile credentials and stole the sum. The trio is also accused of defrauding Bhekisisa Nkambule by falsely claiming they had sent him E1 300 by mistake and requesting a reversal. They allegedly induced Nkambule to provide them with his mobile credentials and, by means of this misrepresentation, stole E1 700 from him.

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