Zimbabwean man steals R1 million from Kruger National Park and disappears for good

The serene beauty of the Kruger National Park, a sanctuary for wildlife and a symbol of South Africa’s natural heritage, has been marred by a shocking tale of alleged theft and deception. At the heart of this scandal is Amos Tineyi Kampinya, a Zimbabwean man who is wanted by the Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, for allegedly stealing almost R1 million from the Mugg & Bean franchise in the Lower Sabie Rest Camp.

Kampinya, a former manager at the popular eatery, is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme that involved falsifying invoices and siphoning off company funds. The Hawks allege that he stole a staggering R897 229, leaving a trail of financial chaos in his wake.

“It is further alleged that Kampinya stole the company funds amounting to R897,229 and disappeared,” said Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, Mpumalanga regional spokesperson for the Hawks.

Adding to the intrigue, Kampinya is not alone in this alleged heist. He is believed to have been working in cahoots with Ronald Mankena Khoza, a 45-year-old South African man who was recently arrested by the Hawks and charged with theft and fraud. Khoza is accused of authorizing cash payouts from daily sales, using false invoices to support the transactions and pocketing the money for his own gain.

“It is alleged that during July 2022, Khoza was employed by Gemla Holdings working at the Mugg & Bean franchise in the Lower Sabie Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park. The suspect authorized cash payouts from the cash money received from the daily sales,” said Sekgotodi.

“He attached false invoices in support of these cash payments, purporting to have been issued by SA Liquor Komatipoort for stock. The suspect appropriated the cash and used it for his own purposes. The value involved is R253,208.”

Khoza, who appeared in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, was released on R20 000 bail. His case was postponed to September 20.

Meanwhile, Kampinya has vanished, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a sense of unease among those who knew him. The Hawks have launched a manhunt for the fugitive, releasing his photograph to the public and appealing for information regarding his whereabouts.

“A manhunt has been launched for Zimbabwean man, Amos Tineyi Kampinya, 44, who is wanted by the Hawks in connection with a fraud and theft case,” stated the Hawks.

The disappearance of Kampinya has sent ripples through the Kruger National Park, raising concerns about security and the vulnerability of businesses operating within the park’s confines. The alleged theft has also cast a shadow over the reputation of Mugg & Bean, a popular South African restaurant chain, raising questions about their internal controls and their ability to safeguard their assets.

The Hawks, determined to bring Kampinya to justice, have appealed to the public for their assistance. They have urged community members to come forward with any information that could lead to his arrest.

“Provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nicholas Gerber has appealed to Kampinya to come forward. Gerber also also urged community members to give information regarding Kampinya’s whereabouts by contacting the investigating officer, Captain Mandla Mphephethe on 071 481 3295,” said the Hawks.

The Hawks have assured the public that all information provided will be treated with the “strictest confidentiality.”

Zimbabwean socialite Madam Boss spotted with Mzansi celebs at Universal+ Dstv Launch

Zimbabwean comedienne and socialite Madam Boss was spotted rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest A-listers in South Africa.

Madam Boss jetted off to South Africa for the official launch party for Universal+ together with DStv.

The official launch party took place last night at Tang restaurant in Sandton at Nelson Mandela Square.

Madam Boss got to meet up with radio and TV personality Anele Mdoda who was the one hosting the launch party. The radio host rocked a pink sexy dress.

Madam Boss also had a photo-op with beauty influencer Mihlali Ndamase and Youtuber Lasizwe Dambuza.

Universal+ in Africa will be available from October 14. Currently, Universal+ is only available in Spain, Brazil, Latin America, and India.

The television network boasts a vast selection of content to binge on. Universal+ has shows and movies from popular linear channels such as Universal TV, E!, DreamWorks, Studio Universal and Telemundo.

Madam Boss shined brightly like a diamond as she mixed and mingled with Mzansi’s top celebrities.

Limpopo mob beats up Zimbabwean man to death – House torched

A Zimbabwean immigrant accused of raping a middle-aged woman from Matangari in Limpopo province was recently beaten to death by an angry crowd, it has emerged.

The tragic incident occurred earlier this month and, a week later, the mob burnt down the house where the Zimbabwean lived, accusing the owner of harbouring illegal immigrants.

The now-deceased suspect, who has yet to be named, reportedly broke into the victim’s house at night with an accomplice.

According to Matangari village’s traditional leader, Vhamusanda Vho–Mutulagole Nyamande, the victim told said one of the men had ransacked her house while the other one raped her.

“After she had opened a case, the police brought her to my palace, where she detailed her ordeal. She said she knew the Zimbabwean as he had been living in the village for years,” Nyamande said.

When the villagers heard about the incident the following morning, they ran amok, blocking roads with rocks and burning tyres and other flammable objects.

Nyamande said he had to calm the angry crowd down, pleading with them not to take the law into their own hands, but rather to help the police with their investigation.

The following day, the community had a meeting at the royal palace and decided to go and look for the suspects themselves.

According to one Norman Siebathavha, secretary of the Matangari Traditional Council, some community members saw the suspect that same afternoon hiding close to a nearby the river.

“When he saw the villagers, he ran and jumped into the river. After searching for him for some time, they found him hiding inside the reeds. They fished him out and took him to the royal palace, and the traditional leader called the police,” he said.

However, while they were waiting for the police to arrive, the angry crowd started to interrogate the suspect, beating him with different objects, and he succumbed to his injuries.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the police at Mutale were investigating two cases – one of rape and one of murder.

“We haven’t effected any arrests yet. Police investigations continue,” he said.

Meanwhile, after attending a meeting with their traditional leader and the royal council last Tuesday afternoon, the Matangari villagers – armed with sticks and stones – reportedly marched to the house of a 55-year-old local man and burnt it to the ground.

The now-deceased Zimbabwean had been a tenant at the house and the mob accused the home owner of harbouring illegal immigrants.

When they arrived at his house, they started by breaking the windows before setting the house on fire.

The man’s 13-year-old son, who was coming home at the time of the incident, said he was surprised to see such a huge crowd descending on the family home

“It was terrifying. I just stood there and saw our whole house being engulfed by fire. I lost all my clothes, including books and school uniform. I also saw some members of the community stealing live chickens,” he said.

The owner of the house said he was also in shock.

“All I can say is that all I have worked for in my life is gone,” he said.

Community members who witnessed the event said police had been informed of the crowd’s intentions to burn down the house but had done nothing.