A Limpopo mining company that was swindled out of R20 000 has called for the law to take its course. The Moruleng Mining Company was allegedly scammed by 23-year-old Setlabo Thaba who solicited donations under false pretenses.

Thaba claimed he was scouted by Italian football club, AC Milan, and needed funds to travel in August, last year. The company and some individuals donated to Thaba. The company’s manager, Zeb Mabilu says Thaba showed them fake flight tickets after he informed them that he had boarded a flight to Italy.

Mabilu says they became suspicious when Thaba requested more money and they opened a case of fraud. He says they donated in good faith.

“As a company, this is not the first time we have helped people in need. As a responsible corporate citizen in our area, and in urban areas as well, we felt it was appropriate to assist after receiving this request from Mr. Thaba. We were happy to help because the request came from a reliable source, the SABC,” he says.

#sapsLIM A 23-year-old fraud suspect, Setlabo Jerry Thaba, appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court following his arrest after handing himself over to police in Polokwane on Monday, 16 March 2026.

It is alleged that on 03 August 2025, a 48-year-old complainant was… pic.twitter.com/qv4Ma7ChHq

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) March 18, 2026

Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says fraud cases in the province remain a serious concern.

“Some of the scams that are prevalent are online dating scams where a scammer uses social media or dating applications to gain trust and enter into one life intimately. They use this trust to extort funds by emotionally abusing and blackmailing the victim. There is also one that is prevalent which is a South African Revenue Service (SARS) impersonation scam. We call upon community members to be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails,” he adds.

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