Free State Christmas stokvel fraudster jailed for 10 years
The Hawks arrested Lebohang Mokatedi in East London after stokvel members in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo reported fraud and theft.
A South African man from the Free State has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding stokvel members. Lebohang Mokatedi, 31, was found guilty of fraud, theft, and money laundering. He introduced a "Christmas" stokvel in 2024, promising members groceries, alcohol, household items, and other goods at the year's end. Members contributed monthly sums between R100 and R500, but Mokatedi disappeared after collecting the funds.
The Bloemfontein Regional Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison, with five years suspended pending his future behavior. His company received a R1 million fine. The sentence was suspended for five years, also conditioned on no further fraud convictions during that period. Victims reported the fraud to police, leading to Mokatedi's arrest in East London.
Both the Free State SAPS Provincial Commissioner and the Hawks' Major General commended the thorough investigation and justice served to the victims.
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