The two suspects charged over the disappearance of over E1.8 million from Standard Bank in Manzini have denied any involvement in the alleged theft.
The duo of Linda Stewart (44) and Mxolisi Mavuso (44) who were arrested last Thursday in separate occasions both denied knowledge of the missing funds, claiming they were somehow framed.
This transpired in their deposed affidavits filed at the High Court in support of their separate bail applications.
The pair successfully applied for bail, which was eventually set at E50 000.
In his application, which was filed under a certificate of urgency, Stewart who was employed by the bank as an auto teller machine (ATM) replenisher, was accused of embezzlement of the financial institution’s E1 399 700, which was allegedly fleeced from different ATMs around Manzini on different dates from April 1, 2023 to December 6, 2025 when the fraud was detected. Prosecutors said he used his position and access to steal the money belonging to the bank. However, Stewart described the accusations as ridiculous especially when taking into account the hefty amount involved.
He claimed the money was just too much for him to steal and further wondered how it could have been possible for him to commit the offence alongside a workmate stationed in a different department from his.
He submitted that he was extremely motivated to fight the allegations levelled against him and to the best of his knowledge, he had not committed any crime.
“I further submit that I have defence in this matter as I have never committed this offence. I was also perplexed by the total amount involved,” he argued. He highlighted that during his initial interrogation, he learnt that there was someone else employed by the same bank who was being sought by the police and wondered how he could have colluded with a person employed in a different department.
The applicant further argued that he was no flight risk, telling the court that his deep family ties in the kingdom were enough to keep him within borders and were motivation enough to enable him not to undermine the country’s criminal justice system.
He told the court that he suspects people were just looking for someone to blame over the alleged theft, but in this case he was not that person.
He claimed he was not violent and not a danger to any of the witnesses to be paraded by the prosecution because he did not know them in the first place. This was the same position maintained by his alleged accomplice, who was charged separately though.
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Mavuso on the other hand, was accused of manipulating the bank system to embezzle about E453 673.06 belonging to the bank.
Mavuso, who was employed as both a data analyst and later ATM custodian was also accused of siphoning money from the bank to his personal use, from June, 2020 up until November 2025. He refuted the claims, and submitted that in all material times while he was under the employment of the financial institution, he was constantly being monitored by a supervisor a situation that eliminated any chance for him to be able to steal.
“I did not commit the offence. In the line of duty while still employed by the complainant and in both positions, there was always someone senior in position and in a supervisory role to oversee and or authorise internal action,” he submitted.
He claimed he was as well shocked by the accusations levelled against him and indicated that he was extremely motivated to fight the charges.
Both former employees of the bank were ultimately released on bail that was set at E50 000, where a deposit of E10 000 was demanded while the rest (E40 000) had to be tendered in as surety.
High Court Judge Ticheme Dlamini presided over the matter and the bail hearings were last Friday.
One ventures into business
One of the former employees of Standard Bank Eswatini accused of theft has ventured into business.
Mxolisi Mavuso told the court that he resigned from the bank towards the end of last year.
His first business ventures were reportedly Medium Scale Vegetable production and Business Brand Consultant, the High Court heard.
This was in the form of a deposed affidavit submitted in support of his bail application.
In his application, he pleaded with the court to release him on bail, arguing that his continued incarceration would be detrimental to his business and that it could affect his family which is dependant upon him for their upkeep.
He stated that he has no previous criminal record and that he was a law-abiding citizen.
He further cited ill-health as another factor the court had to consider to qualify his immediate release, saying the conditions in the country’s correctional facilities were not conducive for a person suffering from his condition.
He then argued that he was no flight risk and would not do anything to undermine the country’s criminal justice system. Standard Bank confirmed the incident, but would not divulge any further details, stating that such was against protocol especially since the matter was reported to the relevant authorities.
