‘Con artist swindle’ burial clubs
Scheme member claims with fake death certificates
A 40-year-old Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, woman has allegedly defrauded two burial clubs of nearly R36 000 by producing fake death certificates of her grandparents. The woman now faces two charges of fraud after she was allegedly caught by members of the two burial schemes she belonged to.
She allegedly conned Kutlwano Youth Club of R14 000 and Aganang Ladies Club of R22 800 over a period of three months. Aganang Ladies Club member Irene Lebogo said they discovered last week that the woman produced a fake death certificate of her “grandfather” from Swaziland. Lebogo said their club was made up of 20 members who contributed R200 every month and an extra R150 when there was a death. “The first claim was made in August and she said her grandmother in Polokwane had passed away and she only produced a death certificate,” Lebogo said.
“Last week the same woman claimed that her grandfather in Swaziland had passed away and she brought in a death certificate.
“We called home affairs to verify the certificate and we discovered that it was fake, but by then we had already given her R11 800.
The woman, who is due to appear at the Tembisa magistrate’s court today, apparently discouraged members of the two burial societies from attending the alleged funerals claiming they were taking place mid-week in far-flung Limpopo and Swaziland. Police spokesperson, Constable Patricia Mgijima confirmed two cases of fraud had been registered against the woman.
Lebogo said they heard that the woman also belonged to another club and when they called them, they were shocked to hear that she had done the same thing to them. Anna Ramolobeng, a member of Kutlwano Youth Club, said they had already given the woman R14 000 for her grandmother and granddaughter’s funerals that she claimed to have had this year. “On Friday, we told her to come and fetch the R7 000 from our chairperson for her grandfather,” she said. “When she arrived she was greeted by the two groups. Although she apologised we have decided to open a case of fraud against her and we want our money,” Ramolobeng said. The suspect has been dismissed from both groups. When called by Sowetan for comment yesterday the alleged fraudster hang up her phone.