MBABANE – Investigations into the theft of funds belonging to former mineworkers have uncovered that employees allegedly used their positions to make unauthorised withdrawals from clients’ accounts over an extended period.
The latest development comes as police continue to investigate a string of criminal activities linked to The Employment Bureau of Africa (TeBA) including armed robberies that recently led to the arrest of a senior employee and an alleged accomplice.
Information in the possession of the Times indicates that at least two former mineworkers were allegedly defrauded a total of E265 498.50 through transactions carried out between January 2024 and December 2025.
The alleged fraud was discovered in March this year after internal investigations were initiated following complaints and a review of account activities. Investigations by the police revealed that, a company employee allegedly used misrepresentation to gain access to clients’ accounts before making unauthorised withdrawals while stationed at the organisation’s Mbabane office.
The matter has since been reported to police and forms part of widening investigations into activities within the organisation.
Former mineworkers rely heavily on TeBA to access compensation, pension payouts and other benefits accumulated during their years of employment in South African mines.
Many of the beneficiaries are elderly and often travel long distances to access their funds. Some are illiterate or unfamiliar with modern banking systems, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.
Investigators are now understood to be examining whether the two identified clients represent isolated cases or whether additional former mineworkers may have fallen victim to similar schemes.
Sources familiar with the investigations said authorities were analysing account records, transaction histories and internal procedures to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud.
The probe is expected to determine whether there were weaknesses in internal controls that enabled the withdrawals to go undetected for prolonged periods.
Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze confirmed the fraud case was reported. He said investigations were ongoing and an arrest is yet to be made.
Meanwhile, the latest allegations come at a time when TeBA is already battling a fallout from a high-profile robbery case.
Last month, police arrested senior TeBA employee Precious Mnisi and Sambulo Mndeni Shabangu in connection with armed robberies that occurred at the organisation’s Mbabane offices in December 2023 and March 2026.
The two face multiple charges arising from the incidents.
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The police investigating team with Mbabane Desk Officer Akhona Dludlu outside the TeBA offices following a robbery where five gunmen reportedly went away with a sum of E111 000. (File pic)