Pretoria – Law enforcers swooped on various sites in Roodepoort where they attached and seized cars, gold, silver, jewellery, luxury wristwatches and designer clothes, laptops, and cellphones, belonging to 15 individuals suspected of stealing more than R150 million from Nedbank.
The joint operation, involving the Asset Forfeiture Unit, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit, and representatives of the appointed curator bonis, attached and seized the items on Wednesday, (28 January 2025).
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said 15 individuals allegedly defrauded Nedbank and stole R157 million between July 2018 and January 2023.
“The joint operation was undertaken to give effect to a provisional restraint order granted by the High Court in Johannesburg on 29 November 2024 in terms of the provisions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, to secure the properties of the 15 individuals, held in their personal capacities or through various entities, with a combined estimated value of approximately R33 million,” Mjonondwane said.
The property secured in terms of the order includes houses, sectional title units, a small holding, 77 vehicles (utility vehicles, motorcycles, and luxury sedans), cash held in bank accounts, and business interests.
Items that were attached at the various locations include gold and silver jewellery, luxury wristwatches and designer clothing items, laptops and cellphones, approximately R80 000 in cash, a cash counting machine, licensed handguns and assault rifles, 16 magazines with ammunition and 2172 rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
“The 15 individuals are being prosecuted in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges of fraud and theft,”
Allegations are that one of the 15 individuals, Nicolette de Villiers, who was employed by Nedbank as an investigator in its Group Financial Crime Forensics and Security division during the period in question, had allegedly abused her position to engineer the fraud and theft.
De Villiers allegedly unlawfully transferred funds held in “suspense accounts” by Nedbank to bank accounts of various unlawful recipients with whom she was personally acquainted.
The suspense accounts from where the money was siphoned were held by Nedbank on behalf of victims of fraud.
“De Villiers allegedly created fictitious payment instructions through which she misrepresented to the bank that these various recipients of the stolen funds had themselves been victims of fraud and were thus entitled to receive payment from the said suspense accounts through 224 individual transactions over the relevant period,” explained Mjonondwane.
It is alleged that De Villiers transferred more than R91 million to Lucas Keitumetse Mathimbi through his personal bank account and bank accounts of two entities, Ivy League Group (Pty) Ltd and IVL Guards (Pty) Ltd, both of which he is the sole director.
“Of the property secured in terms of the court order, Mathimbi was connected to 11 immovable properties, which include houses and sectional title units, as well as 27 vehicles,” Mjonondwane said.
“One immovable property so secured is registered in the name of a minor child.”
Mathimbi is also a former employee of Nedbank.
De Villiers allegedly received about R6 million of the stolen funds in this manner.
Upon the discovery of the fraud, De Villiers was dismissed from her employment with Nedbank.
An interim restraint order has been granted pending the outcome of the criminal case.
The 15 individuals were all released on bail and are expected to appear in Palm Ridge Regional Court on 26 March 2025 for attorneys to consult with their clients.
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