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Three men, Nelson Noah Ntimane (30), Bongani Bonginkosi Mhlanga (42), and Rabbi Vusi Maphosa (52), have been sentenced by the Nelspruit District Court after pleading guilty to illegal loan sharking activities. The sentencing took place on 11 October 2024, following their arrests during a search and seizure operation at Mbombela’s Central Business District on 21 May 2024.
The operation, conducted by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, the National Credit Regulator (NCR), South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the State Prosecutor, targeted unregistered cash loan businesses. The trio was found in possession of borrowers’ bank and SASSA cards, used as collateral to secure loan repayments, which is illegal.
The court handed down the following sentences:
- Nelson Noah Ntimane was fined R10,000 or given an 18-month imprisonment term.
- Bongani Bonginkosi Mhlanga was fined R8,000 or sentenced to 12 months in jail.
- Rabbi Vusi Maphosa faced a R24,000 fine or 24 months’ imprisonment, with R18,000 or 18 months of the sentence suspended for five years. This suspension is conditional upon him not reoffending under the National Credit Act during the period.
Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Gerber, commended the investigative team for their swift action in concluding the case. He also issued a stern warning to the public against using unregistered loan sharks and advised borrowers not to submit their bank cards, identification documents, or SASSA cards to lenders, emphasizing that SASSA cards are state property.
Major General Gerber further cautioned illegal loan operators, known as mashonisas, against operating without NCR registration and retaining customers’ bank and SASSA cards. He emphasized that law enforcement would continue to crack down on unregulated financial practices to protect vulnerable consumers.
