Fraud- accused Bishop Dingaan David Selabe photo supplied
Victims of a protracted criminal case involving controversial Cornerstone International Ministry Church Bishop
Dingaan David Selabe, 56, and his co- accused who swindled people across provinces over R30 million in recent
years, have called for those who suffered at their hands to come forward and assist the investigation for a successful conviction.
The group, comprising of different victims from various provinces, is making a clarion call to all those who had invested into this syndicate’s accounts to come forward since the matter was back on the roll in the North West High Court in Mafikeng on 24 October after having been on hold for over 11 years, and has now been postponed to Friday, 16 January 2026 for trial.
A spokesperson for the group, Phalane Motale, called on victims to come forward so that they could share
information, provide mutual support, and amplify their collective voice to authorities and the public.
“This unity is crucial because as a unified group of victims, we can present a more compelling case to the courts,
increasing the likelihood of a successful investigation and recovery of our lost money.
“Together, we can as a group also more effectively warn others about the specific tactics used by these fraudsters, potentially preventing further people from falling victim,” he said.
A decision is yet to be made on an application by prosecutors to centralise all the charges after additional charges
were added against the crime syndicate, which implicate them in a R2,5 million case in KwaZulu-Natal and a R11,5
million one from Limpopo.
They apparently committed these additional crimes while they were out on bail for the main case which has since been transferred to the North West High Court in Mafikeng.
Selabe made a brief appearance in the North West High Court in Mafikeng, alongside co-accused, 53-year-old
Petrus Andries Byleveld, 63-year-old James Sizwe Mulaudzi, 56-year-old Patrick Thipe, 52-year-old Jan Qhete
Masire, 50-year-old Dipetso Jopie Esau, 43year-old Jack Seleke Medupi, 55-year-old Itseng Boitheko Mathube and
41-year-old Boitumelo Nancy Kweetsane, who are all expected to appear again in the same High Court on Friday,
16 January 2026.
The State believes they used the same modus operandi to continue duping unsuspecting victims to put money in
their fraudulent scheme.
While these matters involving Selabe and his co-accused have been transferred to the North West High Court for trial in the New Year, prosecutors are still awaiting approval from the National Director of Public Prosecutions in
Pretoria for the cases to be centralised and transferred to the High Court for trial.
The suspects will return to the North West High Court on Friday, 16 January 2026, where prosecutors will give an
update to the court.
The offices of the Serious Commercial Crime Investigations of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) (commonly known as the Hawks) in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal apparently became inundated with several complaints from individuals who alleged that they had invested funds in the bank account used by the syndicate, which the suspects had allegedly defrauded them.
Dozens of people invested an estimated R30 million in nonexistent tenders nationally.
Several cases from the North West, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo have already been opened and are under investigation.
This is while other apparent victims, some very prominent businesspeople, preferring not to go public due to embarassment.
It is alleged by the State that Selabe is a leader of a crime syndicate which defrauded complainants out of large
sums of money by way of false tender processes.
The syndicate targeted wealthy businesspeople and building contractors.
They would impersonate government officials of the Department of Human Settlement in the North West Province and the complainants were promised Government tenders if they pay large sums of money into the bank accounts of members of the syndicate in order to secure these tenders.
A crime combatting project wasregistered in 2014 and 13 members, including Selabe, were arrested.
They will be on trial in the High Court on charges of inter alia moneylaundering and racketeering.
It was established that Selabe registered a business under the name of Selebi Constructions CC and opened a bank account in its name.
Large sums of money were deposited by members of the syndicate into this bank account.
Investigations revealed that the money was used to inter alia acquire motor vehicles and build a palatial house in
Majemantsho Village, Mahikeng.
Payments to the builders of this house were made from the bank account of
Selabe.
Millions were used from Selabe’s account, while he did not have a legitimate income. Selabe also lived a
lavish lifestyle and spend most of the money on everyday living expenses.
The bank account of Selebi Constructions CC was mainly used to transfer proceeds of unlawful activities.
For example, several motor vehicles, including a Range Rover were acquired by Selabe.
Bishop Selabe and his co-accused were arrested by the Hawks after they had mostly operated in the Mmabatho
area but later spread their wings to other parts of the country, and as far as the Limpopo Province and KwaZuluNatal.
The Hawks arrested the suspects in Mahikeng on Friday, 7 March 2014, recovered one vehicle, two laptops and
eight cellular phones after nearly 30 victims brought their ordeal to the Hawks.
This syndicate allegedly conned people out millions.
The syndicate is also facing several other new separate charges of fraud and corruption, after they allegedly
continued to defraud more victims of millions of rands since their last court appearance in 2014.
“We are just afraid that many people could become victims of the syndicate during this festive season, especially
those who are going on retirement and those who are getting their bonuses this month,” said one of the victims,
who asked not to be named in fear of victimisation.
Investors/victims who have already reported the matter to SAPS are requested to provide their case numbers and the name of the station where they reported and the assigned investigating officer.
Police have assured the public that these cases will be given the attention they deserve and bring the perpetrators
to book.
“Centralisation of these cases will enhance and strengthen the cases going forward but also preserving the chain of evidence”, said a senior Hawks investigator.
Those who have been victims/investors are urged to contact the coordinator of the group, Phalane Motale on 078 581 4472 or email: phalanemotale@gmail.com
Tshwane Talks readers have been able to read stories in this publication for free for over two years now. We still want our readers to access our stories for free, but we are asking those among our readers who can afford it to contribute at least R30 a month to cover some of the costs of publishing this independent, non-aligned online newspaper which gives a voice to all sectors of society irrespective of race, colour, creed, religion, or political affiliation. You may make your contribution by depositing at least R30 a month into Tshwane Talks' bank account. Details are as follows:
Bank Details
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 10225548834
Account Type: Cheque Account