Mbabane – Majahodvwa resident Sipho Mhlanga, 54, appeared in court on multiple charges of fraud for allegedly promising to sell land to several people over a seven-year period.
Mhlanga faces six charges before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati. Three are for theft by false pretences, while the remaining three are for money laundering, criminalising possession of funds obtained through unlawful means. The alleged offences occurred between 2017 and 2024.
The counts are detailed as follows:
Count 1: In September 2017, Mhlanga allegedly misrepresented to Bongani Magagula that he was selling a plot of land at Manzana, obtaining E37,000.
Count 2: He is also charged under the Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011 for unlawfully possessing the same money obtained through fraud.
Count 3: In January 2024, Mhlanga reportedly used the same scheme to defraud Africa Nkosinathi Shongwe, obtaining E45,600 through misrepresentation.
Count 4: An additional money laundering charge relates to the January 2024 transaction.
Count 5: In November 2023, Khetsiwe Dlamini was allegedly defrauded through a similar land sale scam, with Mhlanga obtaining E68,450.
Count 6: He faces both theft and money laundering charges linked to the same November 2023 transaction.
Court documents indicate a clear pattern of targeting different individuals using the same Manzana plot, collecting large sums of money without transferring ownership.
During the hearing, Mhlanga asked for leniency, citing dental problems affecting his speech and illness that had prevented his attendance at previous court dates.
He was granted E5,000 bail under strict conditions that he must not repeat the offences, interfere with crown witnesses, and attend all court dates. Failure to comply will see him remanded in custody until 29 August ahead of a trial scheduled for 31 October 2025.
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