On Tuesday 28 September, the Swartruggens Reginal Court handed down an eight year imprisonment sentence to the 29 year old Nonhlanhla Matinyane, a former employee at a bank in Swartruggens.

An amount of R536 000 was illegally transferred to three different accounts that happen to belong to family members and one unidentifiable account holder. The bank became alert of the huge amount being transferred and it led them to one 49 year old woman, who won the lottery and was not aware of the illegal transactions happening as Matinyane blocked her from receiving any bank notifications.

With the help of the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and Investigation Officer, Colonel Peter Phale of the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit, they worked with the bank on the investigations and the outcome led to the arrest of the accused Matinyane, after all transactions traced back to her.

Cases of fraud and money laundering were opened against Matinyane and she pleaded guilty on all the charges. She was sentenced to five years jail time for fraud and another three years imprisonment for money laundering. The court has also released an order that Matinyane is to pay back the amount of R17 500 that could not be retrieved by the bank.

The names of the account holders were not mentioned by SAPS to the media, in regards to protect the identity of the family members who were victims and the third lottery winner, from further frauds and unwanted attention.