The fraud case involving State photographer Lesang Gcebile Makhubu and her alleged accomplice Babazile Mamba failed to proceed once again at the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court yesterday due to the absence of the presiding judicial officer.
Sources revealed that magistrates and prosecutors are currently attending a workshop.
Makhubu appeared in court wearing a hat and mask, accompanied by her attorney.
The matter is expected to resume today, where Makhubu is anticipated to present additional proof of payment related to the funds allegedly defrauded from the complainant, Kristina De La Flor. The complainant claims she was swindled of E236 000 by the accused in 2023.
In 2024, both Makhubu and Mamba were granted bail by Senior Magistrate Sifiso. During proceedings, Mamba disclosed that they had repaid E57 000; E50 000 in the initial payment and a subsequent E7 000 deposit.
At their last appearance, Principal Magistrate Fikile Nhlabatsi ordered the accused to submit further proof of payment. It was noted that Makhubu listed as accused number two had been abroad on national duties at the time.
The pair face three counts of fraud. On the first count they allegedly misled De La Flor into believing that a student named Owethu Fisokuhle Dlamini owed E150 000 in tuition fees, resulting in a loss of E30 000 to the complainant.
Investigations revealed that the student did not owe the stated amount.
The second count involves a falsified invoice purportedly from Green Haven Apartments, which led to a further loss of E16 000.
On the third count, the accused allegedly submitted a fake deed of sale for a plot of land at Hawane valued at E190 000, causing De La Flor to suffer a financial loss of the same amount.
