Simphiwe Hlafa, an ANC member and community leader in Rossettenville, is to go on trial in October for his alleged involvement in the alleged illegal sale of houses.
Hlafa and his co-accused, Mthokozisi Magwara and Nokuthula Mkhize will go on trial on 17 and 18 October in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court. The trio is charged with two counts of fraud and theft, where the state alleges that they defrauded two potential home buyers of thousands of rands under false pretences of being estate agents.
During the brief appearance before Magistrate Thandi Twele on 31 July, Hlafa was dressed in an ANC branded jacket.
State prosecutor Vincent Ndzuke wanted the trial to commence immediately but defence attorney Kazamula Mathe said he would only be available in October.
The state alleges that the accused defrauded their two victims of R165 000 and R187 000 respectively.
According to an affidavit filed by one of the victims, he was given the impression that the three were estate agents when he met them. He claimed he was asked to pay a R10 000 administration fee. He paid the amount and was later asked for a further R150 000, which was supposed to be for the purchase of a house in Malvern.
He made the second payment but never took occupation of the house. The victim also said he made a further R5 000 payment which he claimed the accused told him was for the electricity and water connections.
He said he got suspicious when the accused sent him from pillar to post when he tried to occupy his supposedly newly purchased house. After realising that he might have been scammed, the victim opened a case with the police with the hope of recovering the money.
The defence failed in its attempt to have charges against Mhhize withdrawn after it was declined by the Director of Public Prosecutions. According to the defence attorney, Mkhize was an employee of the two other accused and was not directly involved in the alleged criminal activity. [https://fourwaysreview.co.za/262964/defence-wants-the-state-to-withdraw-fraud-charges-against-one-of-the-accused-in-housing-scam-case/].
Related articles: https://midrandreporter.co.za/181086/anc-leader-in-the-dock-for-the-alleged-illegal-sale-of-a-house/
https://midrandreporter.co.za/182607/trial-date-set-soon-2/
