Bank manager sentenced to 15 years for stealing R3.6 million from ATM and client’s estate account

A 45-year-old bank manger has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars after he stole millions of rands from an automatic teller machine (ATM). Audrey Lepala Tlaka was a bank manger at one of the banks in Kwaggafontein Complex in Mpumalanga.

Tlaka appeared in the Kwaggafontein Regional Court on Wednesday where his 15 years prison sentence was handed down.

According to Bonnie Nxumalo, the police spokesperson, between January 2011 and November 2012, Tlaka, who was a bank manager, stole more than R3.6 million from an ATM and a client’s estate account.

“Between January 2011 and November 2012, Tlaka stole more than R3.6 million from the automatic teller machine and the client’s estate account. The irregularities were discovered, and the matter was reported to the police.”

Nxumalo said Tlaka was arrested in 2012 and was taken to court but was released. He was rearrested by the Middleburg-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team. “The accused was detained and charged. He was found guilty on numerous counts of theft on 25 May 2022. He was sentenced on 28 June, to 15 years imprisonment and eight years imprisonment which will run concurrently.”

Doctor Mahlaule

Doctor Mahlaule previously worked as a Freelance Journalist at Find-it SA where he was responsible for writing news articles and sharing them on social media platforms. Doctor Mahlaule holds a Diploma in Journalism, BA in Communication Science and a BA Honours in Media Studies. Doctor began his journey as a knowledge Management and Communications Intern at Zenex Foundation. He was responsible for support in event management, social media, website maintenance, writing and brand management. On weekends Doctor attends prison ministry and shares the scriptures with inmates at Krugersdorp prison and plays soccer in the afternoon on some weekends. He has a passion for reading and writing and enjoys going out with friends and socialising in his spare time. He has a one-year-old son and is planning on getting married soon. When asked about what keeps him going, he said: “My family keeps me going. I’m the man I am because I come from a loving home. I have a very supportive family who always encourages me to keep pushing hard.”

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