Ronald Mankena Khoza, 45, a former Mugg and Bean employee, appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on theft and fraud allegations.
Khoza appeared in court on Wednesday, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Prevention, or the Hawks.
“On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based severe commercial crime investigation issued and carried out an arrest warrant. Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the Hawks’ Mpumalanga regional spokesman, said the accused was freed on R20,000 bail.
The case against Khoza has been pushed back till September 20.
“It is alleged that Khoza was employed by Gemla Holdings in July 2022 at the Mugg & Bean franchise in the Kruger National Park’s Lower Sabie Rest Camp.” The suspect authorized cash payouts from daily sales proceeds,” Sekgotodi stated.
“He attached false invoices in support of these cash payments, claiming to be issued by SA Liquor Komatipoort for stock.” The guy took the money and used it for his own reasons. The amount involved is R253,208.”
The Hawks believe Khoza and his co-accused, 44-year-old Zimbabwean Amos Tineyi Kampinya, committed the act. The Hawks want Kampinya, and his images have been circulated as a wanted suspect on several media channels since January.
Kampinya was working as a manager at Mugg & Bean in Kruger National Park.
“It is further alleged that Kampinya stole the company funds amounting to R897,229 and disappeared,” according to Sekgotodi.
Law enforcement had already located him to his known address, but he had vanished.
Meanwhile, the provincial leader of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nicholas Gerber, has urged Kampinya to come forward.
Gerber also requested community members to provide information on Kampinya’s whereabouts by contacting the investigating officer, Captain Mandla Mphephethe, at 071 481 3295.
The Hawks in Mpumalanga have informed community members that all information submitted will be kept strictly secret.
