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WARRANT OF ARREST AGAINST E1.4 MILLION FRAUD SUSPECT

By Bongiwe Dlamini | 2022-11-28

Manzini - A warrant of arrest was issued against the quantity surveyor who is accused of defrauding his employer a sum of E1.4 million.

This follows that Solomon Fanalakhe Malaza (30) of Nkhaba area failed to appear at the Matsapha Circuit Court on October 26, 2022 following his release from custody on bail. Malaza’s charge sheet states that while he was employed at a construction company as a quantity surveyor, he allegedly misrepresented himself to Encakini Construction that they should make payments to four of the company’s creditors.

It is said his misrepresentation induced his employer to make payments amounting to E 1 419 691 to three bank accounts which allegedly did not belong to the said creditors. The offence was committed between September 1, 2021 and August 28, 2022 in Manzini.

After being remanded in custody, Malaza, through his lawyer Linda Dlamini approached the High Court through a certificate of urgency and filed a bail application before Judge Nkosinathi Maseko.

In his affidavit stating a background of the matter, Malaza expressed his confusion over the charge. He said he was surprised by the manner in which his arrest was effected. Malaza said prior to his apprehension, he was served with summons from the complainant, seeking payment in the sum of E380 497.71.

He told the court that on the afternoon of October 13, 2022, he received a call from his friend informing him that Matsapha police came looking for him at his place of abode at Lobamba and they demanded that he reported to the Manzini Regional Police Headquarters (RHQ) with immediate effect, which he did.

Implicated

After being informed that he was implicated in a fraud case, Malaza alleged that he was assaulted and tortured by the police, such that he ended up admitting committing the offence.
The accused person further indicated to the court that he intended to plead not guilty to the offence as he had a valid defence.

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