Police in the Eastern Cape have launched a manhunt for two suspects who allegedly shot and killed a man charged with siphoning R103 million from ABSA Bank.
According to police, 30-year-old Xolela Masebeni, who was employed as a specialist engineer at the bank, was sitting outside his house with four friends in Ezibeleni, Komani, when he was shot around 4 pm on Saturday.
Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli says two unknown men approached the group and fired shots when Masebeni stood up and walked towards them.
He sustained several gunshot wounds to the upper body and was rushed to a nearby clinic where he succumbed to his injuries.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a silver-grey Volkswagen Polo and Nkohli said police were investigating the matter.
Masebeni was arrested by the Hawks in Komani on the 19th of January this year.
The case was then transferred to the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court in Johannesburg as the alleged crime happened in Sandton.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in an earlier statement that Masebeni allegedly defrauded the money from ABSA between September and December of last year. He then transferred the funds into six different bank accounts, including that of his 20-year-old co-accused and partner Athembile Mpani.
Both were released on bail of R50 000 and faced charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the alleged fraudulent transactions were uncovered by ABSA’s Forensic Division which reported the matter to law enforcement authorities.
Their investigation alleges that the accused accessed a Meridian system to debit the corporate business account.
The pair's bail conditions included that they should not dispose of or destroy any assets mentioned in their affidavits.
In addition to this, they were also not allowed to leave the Eastern Cape without the permission of the Investigating Officer.
Masebeni was also barred from entering ABSA's premises or accessing their database or storage system.
They were expected back in the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court on the 14th of March.
