KEY POINTS
- Simangele Sangweni was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding two Northern Cape municipalities of nearly R1 million by impersonating legitimate service providers and altering banking details.
- Her company, Multi Quipment Pty Ltd, received a R100,000 suspended fine, while she faces direct imprisonment for 17 counts of fraud, 25 counts of money laundering, and additional charges.
- The Hawks praised the conviction as a deterrent against corruption, highlighting the need for improved financial safeguards in municipal systems.
A 33-year-old Northern Cape woman Simangele Sangweni has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding two municipalities of nearly R1 million in an elaborate banking scam.
Sangweni, the mastermind behind the scheme, was convicted on multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, forgery, and uttering by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Court.
Her company, Multi Quipment Pty Ltd, was also fined R100,000, though the penalty was wholly suspended. The sentencing, finalized on April 10, marks the conclusion of a case that has exposed vulnerabilities in municipal financial controls.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe, spokesperson for the Hawks, Sangweni’s fraudulent activities took place between August and September 2021.
IOL reports that she targeted Phokwane Municipality first, submitting fake change-of-banking-details letters and invoices while posing as Vaalharts Water, a legitimate service provider. The municipality unknowingly transferred R455,510 into her company’s account.
A repeat offender
Emboldened by her initial success, Sangweni executed a nearly identical scam against Frances Baart District Municipality in October 2021. This time, she impersonated Sedibeng Water, another trusted service provider, and manipulated officials into redirecting R469,918 to her business account.
“Accused number 1, Multi Quipment Pty Ltd, was sentenced to pay a fine of R100,000 wholly suspended,” said Thebe. “Accused number 2, Simangele Sangweni, was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.”
Major General Steven Mabuela, Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, commended the investigative team for their work, stating that the conviction “sends the right message.” He emphasized that “criminality in any form must be confronted,” particularly when it exploits public funds meant for community services.
The case has raised concerns about the ease with which fraudsters can manipulate municipal payment systems. Experts suggest that stricter verification processes and enhanced cybersecurity measures are needed to prevent similar scams in the future.
