Evaristo Kazingizi Kudaskwashe who has been on the run for a decade after he was convicted of financial fraud crimes in Gqeberha was rearrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this week.

The successful operation was conducted jointly by the Gqeberha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks, Movement Control Officers of OR Tambo, and the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU) of the National Prosecuting Authority.

Eastern Cape Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said Kudaskwashe, 35, was wanted for a series of financial crimes committed as far back as 2015.

He said between July and August 2015, Kudaskwashe was allegedly working at a fuel station convenience centre in Wells Estate, Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, where he used a skimming device to fraudulently obtain electronic account information from bank cards.

Case dockets were opened, and an investigation by the Hawks ensued, he said.

“Investigations revealed that about eight cloned bank cards were produced and used to execute 53 fraudulent transactions, which resulted in a combined financial loss of R108,250.36 to Standard Bank and Nedbank,” said Mhlakuvana.

Mhlakuvana further explained that Kudaskwashe was arrested by the joint team in 2015, and he was later granted bail.

“Kudaskwashe was convicted on all counts on June 2, 2016, but absconded before his sentencing, which was scheduled for August 4, 2016,” he stated.

According to the Hawks, a warrant of arrest was issued, and Kudaskwashe had been at large for a decade until his rearrest this week by the team.

“The Hawks cannot conclude that the suspect was attempting to leave the country at this stage,” said Mhlakuvana.

The charges that Kudaskwashe was facing included multiple counts under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act and several counts of conspiracy to commit fraud under the Riotous Assemblies Act.

Kudaskwashe made a brief court appearance before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng on Thursday, and the matter has since been postponed to tomorrow, for hearing before the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court.

“Kudaskwashe remains in custody as a prisoner in transit from Gauteng,” added Mhlakuvana.

karen.singh@inl.co.za

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