Johannesburg,South Africa

On Wednesday,the South African Police Service in the North West has confirmed that three suspects which are linked to a fraud,theft and money laundering of R24 million appeared in court.

Osonga Cherif Owonga(28),Mendi Bizanjoo(43) and Phatshimo Molly Korsah(46) appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrates' Court and another five of their accomplices are still on the run for crime that they committed more than twelve months ago.

"It is alleged that in October 2022,the accused,along with five other suspects who are still at large,intercepted an email communication between a Zimbabwean-based company and South African-based company.The accused allegedly altered the South African-based company's bank account number and used theirs.

"Reports indicate that an amount of R24-million which was intended for a South African company was paid into one of the suspect's bank account.The money was later transferred into different bank accounts belonging to some of the accused,"police said.

The investigation of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(HAWKS) has helped to arrest these suspects which were scattered around North West and Gauteng,and appeared in different courts across the country and are expected to appear again in court after Christmas.

"Following an investigation by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation,a warrant of arrest was issued against the accused and executed on Tuesday,19 December 2023.The suspects were arrested in Kempton Park and Mahikeng.

"The three accused have been remanded in custody and will appear in the same court on 27 December 2023 for formal bail application.North West Hawks Head,Major General Patrick Mbotho together with the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West,Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for successfully apprehending and bringing the suspects before court,"police concluded.