Anti-Apartheid Hero’s Daughter Embroiled in Mining Scandal

Key Takeaways

• Tshitshi Bopela, also known as Gigi, has been arrested for fraud after allegedly using forged paperwork to apply for R850,000 in financing.
• Bopela claimed to be the niece of former deputy president Baleka Mbete and promised lucrative mining deals to potential investors.
• Several alleged victims have come forward, claiming that Bopela stole millions of rand from them using fake paperwork and false promises.
• Bopela’s arrest was made possible by the efforts of private investigator Conrad Gouws, who discovered that her paperwork was forged.
• Bopela is due to appear in court again on December 6 for a bail application.

Introduction to Tshitshi Bopela
Tshitshi Bopela, a 42-year-old woman who calls herself Gigi, had grand plans of making it big. She started her career by making YouTube videos in 2013, pretending to be a reporter for various media outlets such as eTV and CNBC. However, she soon progressed to bigger aspirations, allegedly claiming to be the niece of former deputy president Baleka Mbete and luring potential investors with promises of lucrative mining deals. Bopela’s alleged victims claim that she sent them videos of herself on a mining site, which she claimed she had the rights to, in an attempt to convince them of her legitimacy.

The Arrest and Charges
Bopela’s luck ran out when she was arrested for using forged paperwork to apply for R850,000 in financing. Gauteng police spokesperson Capt Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed the arrest, and Bopela appeared in the Kempton Park magistrate’s court on Wednesday, charged with fraud. She is due to appear in court again on December 6 for a bail application. Former deputy president Baleka Mbete, who was allegedly claimed to be Bopela’s aunt, stated that Bopela was the daughter of "a struggle hero and a dear friend", Thula Bopela, and expressed her hope that Bopela would learn lessons from her mistakes.

The Investigation and Alleged Victims
Private investigator Conrad Gouws, who is contracted by a Johannesburg short-term financing company to oversee debt collections, is the complainant in the matter that led to Bopela’s arrest. Gouws stated that Bopela claimed to own a silicon mine and needed money to complete a massive order coming in from abroad. However, when Gouws investigated Bopela’s paperwork, he discovered that it was all fake. Several other alleged victims have come forward, claiming that Bopela stole millions of rand from them using fake paperwork and false promises. One alleged victim, a doctor in Johannesburg, claimed that Bopela was a patient of hers for five years and had become a friend, but then Bopela came to her with a business proposal that turned out to be a scam.

The Modus Operandi
Bopela’s modus operandi was to use fake paperwork and false promises to lure potential investors into giving her money. She would send them videos and documents that appeared to be legitimate, but were actually forgeries. One alleged victim, a chartered accountant from Pretoria, claimed that Bopela sent him a mountain of paperwork to back up her claims of owning a silicon mine, but it was all fake. Bopela’s lawyer, Werner Janse van Rensburg, confirmed her arrest but declined to comment on the claims against her.

Conclusion and Aftermath
Bopela’s arrest is a significant development in the case, and her alleged victims are hoping that she will be brought to justice. The case highlights the importance of verifying the legitimacy of business proposals and the need for thorough investigations before investing money. Bopela’s alleged victims are also warning others to be cautious of similar scams, and to always do their due diligence before investing in any business venture. As the case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Bopela’s defense team will respond to the allegations against her, and whether she will be able to recover from the damage that has been done to her reputation.