A 30-year-old man accused of turning fake proof of payment into a full-time occupation has most recently been linked to a Bushfire Festival ticket scam.
Irvin Mbatsana of Mpolonjeni appeared before the Mbabane Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he was remanded in custody until June 15 pending his appearance before Magistrate Sifiso Vilakati.
The most significant charge relates to an incident on May 18 in Mbabane Corporation, where Mbatsana allegedly misrepresented to Thembeka Gamedze that he would buy her Bushfire Festival tickets worth E19 000.
It is alleged that he produced a fake proof of payment and unlawfully obtained the money.
Mbatsana was represented by Lawyer Sivesonkhe Ngwenya during his appearance before Magistrate Chazile Thwala.
The Crown informed the court that Magistrate Thwala had recused herself from the matter.
According to the charge sheet, Mbatsana faces six counts of theft by false pretences arising from a series of alleged scams involving fake proof of payments, fraudulent ticket sales and bogus electronic transfers.
In another incident, he is accused of defrauding Mehluko Mahlinza of E8 700 after allegedly claiming to have purchased her iPhone 15.
The charge sheet states that he produced a fraudulent Nedbank proof of payment to convince her that payment had been made.
He is also alleged to have borrowed E3 000 from Gcinile Mnisi and later sent her a fake Nedbank proof of payment instead of repaying the money.
The charge sheet further alleges that Mbatsana sold fake Bushfire Festival tickets worth E2 000 to Carol Seabra.
In another incident, which allegedly occurred on May 31 at Nkoyoyo, Mbatsana is accused of hiring a taxi belonging to Sikelela Mamba and paying E600 using a fake Mobile wallet SMS notification.
The charge sheet further states that he allegedly defrauded Nothando Dlamini using a fake E200 coupon.
It is alleged that he left his passport as security and never returned.
Mbatsana is no stranger to allegations involving fraudulent payment confirmations.
He was previously arrested after allegedly sending a fraudulent electronic funds transfer (EFT) proof of payment for E1 300 to fuel supplier Yamin Kakana as payment.
During proceedings, the Crown successfully applied for Mbatsana to remain in custody until June 15, when he is expected to appear before Magistrate Vilakati.
