On Tuesday, 2 April 2024, Fidelis Moema surrendered to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation team in Johannesburg, facing charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.
How Fidelis Moema allegedly defrauded R16m from KPMG
This development follows allegations that Moema, while employed as a bursary specialist at KPMG, misappropriated funds totalling R16.5 million intended for student bursaries between 2021 and 2022.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, Moema’s role at KPMG involved managing bursary funds, a critical support system designed to cover university fees for eligible students.
However, investigations reveal that instead of fulfilling this duty, Moema diverted these funds into the bank accounts of acquaintances and various company owners.
These third parties then transferred the money back into Moema’s personal account, culminating in a significant financial loss for KPMG, amounting to R16.5 million.
Here’s everything we know about the alleged scammer
Moema made his initial court appearance at the Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court on the day of his arrest.
The court has since postponed the case to Tuesday, 9 April 2024, when Moema is expected to apply for bail formally.
In addition to the financial crimes he’s accused of, Moema is also known in the public sphere for his personal life, notably as the father of content creator Sthe Bhengu’s child.
The implications of his actions extend beyond the corporate losses experienced by KPMG, affecting the educational opportunities of numerous students reliant on bursary support for their university education.
