TRIO SENTENCED FOR R4 MILLION FRAUD SCHEME

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By: Neo Ntsele

On 20 March 2026, the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court sentenced three individuals, Khotso Mabolloane (51), Sibongile Nyembe (31), and Jabulane Joseph Mazibuko (40), for fraud and related offenses after a fraudulent transaction resulted in a loss of over R4 million for VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd.

It was reported that on 16 February 2018, near VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd in Reitz, six individuals, Khotso Mabolloane, Tumane Isaac Mokoena, Sibongile Nyembe, Nolufefe Desiree Prence, Jabulane Joseph Mazibuko, and Sandile Sipamla, falsely claimed that a payment was backed by a cheque dated 16 February 2018, issued by Budget Truck Spares for services rendered.

Due to this false representation, VKB Agriculture (Pty) Ltd incurred a loss of R4,078,540.35 after transferring money into an ABSA bank account, which was later discovered to belong to Mabolloane instead of Budget Truck Spares.

The payment document was determined to be forged, rendering the transaction invalid.

All six accused were arrested and appeared in the Bethlehem and Bloemfontein Magistrates Courts.

On 16 April 2025, Mabolloane, Nyembe, and Mazibuko were found guilty, while charges against Mokoena, Prence, and Sipamla were dropped.

On 20 March 2026, the three were sentenced.

Mabolloane received an effective 15-year direct imprisonment sentence for fraud and violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, with several counts running concurrently.

Nyembe was sentenced to an effective 12 years' direct imprisonment for fraud and violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Mazibuko received a seven-year direct imprisonment sentence for violations of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Additionally, all three convicted individuals were declared unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act, Act 60 of 2000.

The Acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Free State, Brigadier Ketlamoreng Mafoyane, praised the investigating officer for their excellent work.