Police in Limpopo have launched a manhunt for Ghanaian man, whose real name is unknown, after a former school teacher in Limpopo was scammed of almost R2 million.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Limpopo has so far arrested 33-year-old South African man Mohoto Mangwejana after it was established that the money was transferred into his bank account.
Magwejana has since appeared before in the Praktizeer Magistrate’s Court, outside Burgersfort on Friday facing charges of theft and fraud related to dating scam.
Limpopo spokesperson for the Hawks Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said in January 2023, the victim, a former school teacher aged 58, met the Ghanaian national at Tubatse Crossing Mall in Burgersfort.
“In August 2023, the Ghanaian contacted the victim and then they started dating. In October 2023, the Ghanaian proposed that they should have their own business,” said Mmuroa.
The Ghanaian man later told the pensioner that he had found two trucks which are needed for them to start their joint business.
The unsuspecting woman was informed that the two trucks would cost R3,000,000.
“They went to the bank in Phalaborwa, where the victim transferred an amount of R1,800,000 into a certain bank account. She went home and waited for the trucks to be delivered,” said Mmuroa.
The former teacher then tried to contact her Ghanaian boyfriend but the phone was never answered.
She tried to locate him but the Hawks said the boyfriend was nowhere to be found.
“She reported the matter to the police. A case docket of theft was opened and transferred to the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further investigations,” said Mmuroa.
“Through intensive investigations, the Hawks revealed that the money was transferred to the account of the accused person, Mr Mohoto Mangwejana,” said Mmuroa.
After the investigation was finalised, the matter was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for decision.
Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was authorised against Magwejana.
"Mangwejana was traced and arrested by the Hawks at North West province on December 2024. His matter was postponed to December 11, 2024, for bail application,” said Mmuroa.
The Hawks are still searching for the Ghanaian man.
Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender has welcomed Magwejana’s arrest.
Govender has appealed to community members across Limpopo to be vigilant of the rampant dating scammers.
IOL has been running the scammed series, where numerous South African women have now joined hands, speaking out against the rampant romance scams.
The women who are often breadwinners in their households, are left destitute, emotionally traumatised with some women reportedly committing suicide after being scammed.
In July, police in North West have launched a manhunt for an audacious scammer who targeted a woman, who was a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS), pursued a romantic relationship with her, and later conned her of almost R3 million.
During the romantic relationship, the Ugandan national pretended to be a medical doctor, and swindled the unsuspecting police captain, aged 53.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL