News24 reports that a former North West bank employee was due to appear in the Molopo Regional Court on Monday on four counts of fraud for allegedly pocketing R600,000 from the accounts of bank clients.
Siphiwe Hlathi, 28, was working at a bank in Mahikeng at the time of the alleged crimes, which were allegedly committed in October 2018. Police spokesperson Captain Aafje Botma indicated: "At the time of the commission of the crimes… the accused was... handling retired or resigned public servants' accounts. According to reports, the accused would – after lump sum payments into the clients' accounts – deactivate cellphone notifications. Moreover, he would, without the knowledge of the clients, transfer monies ranging from R30,000 to R50,000 from the victims' accounts, all amounting to R600,000, into his personal account." Clients reported the transactions to the bank after becoming suspicious. A police investigation followed, and Hlathi was arrested.
- Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
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