FNB THEFT SUSPECT CONFESSES

FNB theft suspect, Thembela Mamba (R), tries to hide from the camera after his court appearance yesterday morning. (Pics: Sibusiso Zwane)

MANZINI - After he discovered that life in Mozambique was not at all rosy and giving him ‘lemons’, one of the suspects in the First National Bank (FNB) E2.8 million fraud surrendered to the police.

Thembela Mamba (24) of Kwaluseni, made a confession before Senior Magistrate Phathaphapha Mdluli yesterday morning, a session which lasted for four hours.

It is worth noting that the accused person allegedly received a portion of the E2.8 million allegedly stolen by an employee of the bank, Thulani Nkambule, which was E1 173 million.

The accused person, who was accompanied by a team of four officers from the Fraud Department, arrived in court at around 8am and got inside the magistrate’s chambers for the arranged confession.

During the confession, the accused person is alleged to have given details on the matter, beginning from when the key suspect (Nkambule) started contacting him to reveal that he was going to commit the theft offence at the bank.

Requested

“He called me before committing the offence and said ufikelwa busathane, and when I asked him what he wanted to do, he told me and requested that I furnish him with my banking details.
“On the following day, he called me once again and told me he would deposit some money into my account in smaller amounts of about E70 000 and slightly above.

“The amount totalled E1 173 million and from there, we were ready to move to another destination. Since my bank limit was about E2 000, it was increased by my friend and the money was withdrawn, in different amounts,” Mamba alleged.

He mentioned that after they had spoken about the next destination, which was Mozambique, they packed their bags, resided in a guest house, spent part of it on new clothing, smartphones and further bought a new vehicle, an Altezza sedan, which they used to cross through the Mhlumeni Border to Maputo, Mozambique.

“Upon arrival there, the three of us and a female, who was with one of us, booked into guest houses and spent the money we had.
However, after some days when we needed to withdraw more, we discovered that all our bank cards had been blocked and the accounts were frozen.
“One of us tried contacting his father, who was in South Africa and who had received part of the money, who told us that his account had also been blocked and he could not withdraw more money,” Mamba said.

He also alleged that before leaving the country, Nkambule had handed over about E50 000 to his wife.
“While having all the fun in Mozambique and living the life, I made a decision that I never wanted to be a fugitive anymore. The cash we had was running out and I was missing home as well.

Suspect

“The worst part was when the key suspect, who had initiated the whole plan, left us in one of the guest houses in Mozambique together with the female friend.
“He disappeared without saying a word and we were stranded,” Mamba also alleged.

He added that after Nkambule had left them for another city in Mozambique, he made a decision to return home and surrender.
Mamba stated that upon arrival at Lomahasha Border, he handed himself over to the police who noticed through scanning his passport that he was a wanted suspect.

“The police then liaised with the fraud police officers who later arrested and charged me with the fraud offence of E1 173 million. I do not have an idea where the others are at the moment, however, I do know that the other friend has most of his family members and relatives in Mozambique, and I do not see him ever returning to the country,” Mamba also said.

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