DELMAS – Joseph Sibitane (51) and Rwisai Rufetu (48) were remanded in custody by the Delmas District Court on January 23, 2025 for allegedly misusing Sibitane’s employer’s fleet card.
The unauthorised use, which occurred between October and November 2022, resulted in a significant financial loss of R935,301.00 to Sibitane’s employer.
Sibitane was arrested by Delmas police on January 21, 2025, while Rufetu was apprehended the following day by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg.
Rufetu is already facing other fraud charges in Middelburg. Both suspects appeared briefly in court and were denied bail, pending their next court appearance scheduled for January 30, 2025 for a formal bail application.
The Mpumalanga provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Nico Gerber, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a conviction. “The experienced team of investigators will do their best to prove a case that will lead to a conviction,” he said.
The case highlights the importance of internal controls and oversight in preventing financial misconduct. The significant loss incurred by Sibitane’s employer serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unauthorised use of company resources.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what further evidence will emerge and how the case will proceed.
