Free State stokvel fraudster jailed for 10 years after Christmas grocery scam

Fraud, theft and money laundering linked to a Christmas stokvel scheme in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo has led to a 31-year-old man being sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

A 31-year-old man who duped stokvel members in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo out of their money after promising to deliver Christmas groceries, alcohol and household goods has been sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

Lebohang Mokatedi was sentenced by the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Thursday following his conviction on multiple counts of fraud, theft and money laundering.

His company, Lebohang Society and Financial Credit Service (Pty) Ltd, was also handed a R1 million fine, wholly suspended for five years.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said Mokatedi introduced a “Christmas” stokvel in 2024, promising members groceries, alcoholic beverages, household items and relish ingredients at the end of the year.

Members were required to contribute between R100 and R500 every month.

“Several people from Bloemfontein and Botshabelo joined the stokvel and honoured their monthly contributions.

“However, when the time came for Mokatedi to deliver the promised goods, he disappeared and failed to honour the arrangements made with the members,” Matoti said.

Several victims subsequently opened cases of fraud and theft at various police stations in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo.

The cases were initially investigated by detectives in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo before being transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Bloemfontein.

“An intensive investigation resulted in Mokatedi’s arrest in East London, Eastern Cape,” Matoti said.

Mokatedi was convicted on October 8 on multiple counts of fraud, theft and money laundering.

The Free State Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Solly Lesia, and the provincial head of the Hawks, Major-General Mokgadi Bokaba, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigators involved.

The Bloemfontein Regional Court sentenced Mokatedi to 15 years’ imprisonment, of which five years were wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the suspension period.