Johannesburg - A couple will appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding a church of close to R7 million, Eastern Cape police said.
Zola Maziyana, 46, and his wife Zukiswa Maziyana, 38, face 53 counts of fraud and 123 counts of money laundering, said Captain Stephen Marais.
Marais said the two were apprehended on Tuesday for allegedly defrauding the Twelve Apostles’ Church in Christ in East London.
“The arrest relates to allegations made against the couple involving the money of the church which was used fraudulently and not for the purpose it was meant to be used for,” he said.
He said the Maziynas were arrested by the detectives from the commercial branch of the Hawks at their Sunnyridge home.
“The church approached the police to investigate the matter and after a lengthy investigation police obtained a warrant of arrest and arrested the couple,” Marais said.
“The investigation was led by Captain Lionel Hughes attached to the East London Hawks. Police have also obtained an order and attached all the couples’ assets and froze all their bank accounts.”
Marais said the two appeared in the same court on Tuesday and the matter was postponed for bail application. They remained in custody.
ANA