Africa-Press – South-Africa. Bail of R15 000 has been granted to a Limpopo woman who was on the run for six years after allegedly defrauding students out of more than R2 million while running unregistered nursing colleges.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said Salome Ngwana ran three unregistered colleges in Botlokwa, Morebeng and the Vhembe district of Limpopo, where students enrolled for nursing courses.
When the ruse was exposed in 2017 and a case was opened against her, she fled to Zimbabwe and was on the run for six years, Malabi-Dzhangi said.
Last month police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, said Ngwana ran bogus nursing colleges and fraudulently registered unsuspecting students for nursing diplomas.
“The victims were also assured of employment across the province upon completion of their studies. Cases were opened in Polokwane, Morebeng, Thohoyandou and Waterval in Limpopo, as well as parts of Gauteng,” Mojapelo added.
Mojapelo said the breakthrough happened in March when detectives from Makhado received information that Ngwana would return to South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng.
He said: “The members pounced on her soon after she arrived at the airport.”
Ngwana was arrested on 10 March. She appeared in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on 13 counts of fraud and was granted R15 000 bail.
Malabi-Dzhangi said:
Malabi-Dzhangi said a police officer testified that Ngwana had been untraceable for more than six years and had not been living at her home in Makhado.
“Salome testified that in 2017 she moved out from her homestead in Makhado and stayed with different relatives as she was struggling financially. She even moved to Polokwane, Midrand and Durban,” Malabi-Dzhangi added.
Malabi-Dzhangi said Ngwana currently lived in Fourways, Johannesburg, where she had a business with 12 employees.
In granting bail, Magistrate Bennie Smith said Ngwana was being released on condition that she report to the Midrand police station in Gauteng every Monday between 06:00 and 20:00, hand over her passport to the State, and inform the investigating officer when she wants to leave South Africa for business.
The case has been postponed to 30 June for further investigation.
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