Luthando Mbinda, former PAC president, convicted of fraud worth R995,670. The case is set for sentencing in June 2025.
Key Points:
- Luthando Mbinda convicted of R995,670 fraud.
- The court acquitted him of money laundering charges.
- Sentencing postponed to June 2025.
Luthando Mbinda fraud conviction
Luthando Mbinda, the former president of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), has been convicted of fraud amounting to R995,670.20. The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Bellville, Western Cape, delivered the conviction on Monday.
Fraud Charges and Acquittal of Money Laundering
The court found 64-year-old Mbinda guilty of fraud. However, it acquitted him of money laundering charges. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani confirmed the ruling.
Details of the Fraudulent Transactions
In April 2021, Mbinda voluntarily surrendered to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Bellville. Authorities also apprehended his two accomplices. They received a warning and were discharged after appearing in the same court.
Mbinda’s expulsion from the PAC occurred on June 14, 2017, after uncovering his fraudulent activities.
In March 2019, Mbinda visited First National Bank (FNB) to open two new accounts. He registered them under the name LR Mbinda, trading as Azania 2019. Mbinda then instructed the Parliament Finance Department to transfer funds owed to the PAC into these new FNB accounts. This request bypassed the previously designated ABSA accounts.
From March 22 to April 4, 2019, the Parliament transferred R995,670 to these unauthorized FNB accounts, according to Hawks spokesperson Hani.
Sentencing Postponed to June 2025
The court has postponed Mbinda’s sentencing until June 24, 2025.
