A 38-year-old former bank employee has faced court after being arrested for allegedly orchestrating a fraud scheme that siphoned over R130,000 from the institution by taking out loans in clients’ names without their knowledge.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Rachel Tsakani Bloko used her position to access and misuse the personal credentials of bank clients. “The victims only became aware of the loans after the bank informed them of unsettled accounts,” Mashaba explained.
Following an investigation by the provincial commercial crime unit, a warrant for her arrest was issued. Bloko was taken into custody on Monday and appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where she was granted R5,000 bail. The case has been postponed to October 22 for further investigation.
This case echoes a similar, larger-scale fraud recently before the courts. Earlier this month, 28-year-old former bank teller Bonginkosi Praise Khoza pleaded guilty to charges related to embezzling R3.9 million from client accounts in 2016.
The Hawks’ investigation revealed that Khoza, along with a bank manager and a fellow teller, allegedly conducted fraudulent transactions amounting to nearly R4 million. While Khoza has been convicted and awaits sentencing in November, his two co-accused continue to contest the charges. Their bail was extended, and they are scheduled to appear in court again on the sentencing date.
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