A mother and daughter accused of siphoning more than R4 million from Pam Golding Properties through an intercepted email instruction have been granted bail by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Zandile Palesa Muthwa, 41, and her 71-year-old mother, Pulane Mary Muthwa, were arrested on Monday after handing themselves over to the authorities. They face charges of theft, fraud and the unlawful interception of data.
Hawks Gauteng spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said the case stems from an email Pam Golding Properties received, which appeared to come from one of its clients, instructing the company to transfer over R4 million to a Nedbank account.
“The property company later learned from the actual client that the funds had not reflected in their account,” Mavimbela said.
“Through investigations it was then discovered that the bank account in which the money was deposited belongs to the accused one, Zandile Muthwa, who has no links to Pam Golding Properties or their client.”
Mavimbela said the investigation also found that once the money landed in the Nedbank account, it was moved to various other bank accounts.
“One of the accounts belongs to accused number two, Pulane Muthwa, who received an amount of R85,000,” she said.
The pair appeared in court for their formal bail application and were granted bail of R1 000 each. The matter has been postponed to 24 March 2026 for further investigation.
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