The re-arrest follows her failure to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court, breaching her bail conditions.
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A former employee, Tembisa Qinga, has been re-arrested for her alleged involvement in a R2.2 million fraud and money laundering scheme, following an investigation by the Hawks.
It has been alleged that the 44-year-old former business development officer channelled the proceeds of these transactions into two Absa Bank accounts registered in the name of her minor child.
Qinga, re-arrested by the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI), appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes court on Thursday.
The re-arrest follows her failure to appear before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on February 26, 2026, breaching her bail conditions.
The accused's initial bail amount of R5,000 was subsequently forfeited to the State.
In a statement by the Hawks, between March 2012 and July 2013, there were alleged irregularities which were brought to light following a series of complaints lodged by clients at ABSA Bank, Mthatha Plaza.
"A protracted and meticulous investigation by the bank forensic investigator ensued, which identified irregularities linked to disputed personal and flexi loan accounts at the abovementioned branch. Internal scrutiny was apparently supported by the branch manager, revealed that the accused, who was employed as a business development officer at the time, orchestrated a systematic and calculated scheme to defraud multiple clients," said the statement.
"Acting in gross violation of her fiduciary duties and professional obligations, Qinga allegedly unlawfully accessed, and utilised clients’ personal banking credentials to initiate loans and established flexi accounts without their knowledge or consent. A case docket was opened and handed over to the Hawks for probing."
The statement said the investigation uncovered that the accused channelled the proceeds of these transactions into two Absa Bank accounts registered in the name of her minor child, over which she exercised control through a power of attorney.
"According to the further probing, the cumulative financial prejudice suffered by the victims has been quantified to more than R2.2million. The accused’s conduct reportedly reflected a sophisticated abuse of institutional systems, leveraging authorised access, unique banking credentials, and internal processes to execute the concealed fraudulent activities over a sustained period."
Qinga was arrested by the Hawks on July 25, 2023, after which she was formally charged for fraud, theft, and money laundering. She was granted bail by the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court. Qinga attended a few court proceeding and later never went to court until her warrant of arrest was issued and executed on March 19, 2026.
The accused has since appeared in court and was remanded in custody, where the matter was adjourned to March 30 for legal representation and for formal bail application.