34-year-old Thandeka Mlangeni to serve 10 years prison sentence for fraud

The Harrismith Magistrates’ Court sentenced Thandeka Mlangeni (34) to 10 years direct imprisonment for defrauding former employer on Friday, 05 May.

According to the Free State Hawks spokesperson, captain Christopher Singo, Mlangeni’s charges included fraud and money laundering.

“Standard Bank preliminary investigation revealed Mlangeni fraudulently issued a bank card using a client’s details,” added Singo.

Furthermore, Mlangeni transferred an amount of R1 million into her boyfriend’s account. Her boyfriend, Hopewell Mpanduli (34) is already serving 10 years prison sentence. Another R51 000 was withdrawn from the same victim’s account.

“These incidentoccured between January and February 2020,” informs Singo.

The matter was then reported to the Bethlehem Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for further investigation which led to the conviction of the accused.

The court sentenced Mlangeni to six years imprisonment for fraud, which is wholly suspended for five years. On the money laundering, she was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. On the count of contravention of Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, Mlangeni received yet another 10 years direct imprisonment.

All sentences will run concurrently and like her boyfriend, Mlangeni will serve 10 years direct imprisonment.

The Free State’s head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, major general, Mokgadi Bokaba, commended the team on the sterling work. He further applauded the court on the sanction with emphasis on the ten years direct imprisonment for money laundering.