Sylvia Nyandeni (43) was arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Mpumalanga on Wednesday on forty (40) counts of fraud.
It is alleged that in October 2018 Nyandeni an employee of Steve Tshwete Municipality presented herself to the complainants that she had the authority to receive monies for RDP houses.
The supposed houses were to be built at Rockdale, Middelburg and Nyandeni summoned the complainants to pay deposits before they can obtain their houses.
READ ALSO: President Ramaphosa announces schools to close after prolific rise in infections
Almost R 700 000 was deposited into Nyandeni’s and her accomplice’s bank accounts, who was unable to present himself in court due to ill health.
Meanwhile, the fraud was reported to the Hawks in 2018 and investigations led to her arrest.
Nyandeni appeared before the Middelburg Magistrate Court on Thursday and she was warned to appear again on 20 August 2020.
The warrant of arrest for the other suspect has been withheld as he was warned to appear with Nyandeni on the same date.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation urge all other victims who might have fallen victim to the scam to report the matter to the Investigating Officer Sergeant Amos Mahlangu on 071 481 3069.