Inside R4m Property Scam That Landed Mother And Daughter In Court

A mother and daughter accused of orchestrating a sophisticated R4 million property scam have been granted bail following their appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

Email Intercept Leads to Multi-Million Rand Property Scam 

Zandile Palesa Muthwa, 41, and her 71-year-old mother, Pulane Mary Muthwa, handed themselves over to authorities on Monday, where they were formally charged with theft, fraud and the unlawful interception of data. Both were released on R1 000 bail each.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: KZN Girl, 13, Vanishes After Forbidden Relationship With 25-Year-Old Man

According to Hawks Gauteng spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, the case centres on a manipulated email sent to Pam Golding Properties.

The email, believed to be from a legitimate client, instructed the company to transfer just over R4 million to an account held with Nedbank.

It was only when the actual client queried the missing funds that the property company discovered the transfer had been based on a fraudulent instruction.

Money Moved Through Multiple Accounts

Investigators say the funds were initially deposited into an account belonging to Zandile Muthwa, who has no ties to Pam Golding Properties or its client.

From there, the money was swiftly distributed into several other accounts in what authorities believe was an attempt to conceal its origin.

One of the secondary accounts belonged to the second accused, Pulane Muthwa, who allegedly received R85 000 from the diverted funds.

The pair appeared briefly in court for their formal bail application. Prosecutors did not oppose bail, and the matter was postponed to 24 March 2026 for further investigation.

The Hawks say enquiries are ongoing, with additional arrests not being ruled out as investigators continue to trace the movement of the stolen funds.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On  Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky