MBOMBELA - The Mpumalanga Master of the High Court, Bina Masuku (44) and her companion, Elvis Kgosiemang (35) were remanded in custody in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 11. This comes after the duo had been arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit last week on charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and the contravention of the Immigration Act. 

A two-year investigation by the Serious Commercial Investigative Unit into allegations of siphoning of claimants’ funds from the Master’s office, has established that Masuku had allegedly referred claimants to her “lawyer” boyfriend (Kgosiemang) to process their claims. Some claimants never received their monies. A total of approximately R1,7 million has allegedly been embezzled from eight families.

It has since been determined that Kgosiemang is not a certified lawyer. Masuku also mislead the State by claiming to be a South African citizen.The Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration Division has since finalised its investigation into her citizenship status.

It is believed that the discovery of the missing R1,7 million is only the tip of the iceberg. More fraud charges are expected as the investigation progresses. Members of the Mpumalanga community who suspect they might have been victims of this scam, are urged to contact Captain Mandla Mphephethe on 071 481 3295.

The case against the duo has been postponed to November 13 for a formal bail application.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
Submitted by: Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
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