Pretoria – The police in Lyttelton, Tshwane district, on Sunday, said a manhunt has been launched for an escaped accused named Kingsley Leeto Chele, who was arrested for pretending to be a pharmacist or doctor in order to con would-be investors.
Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, said Chele was an alleged Facebook con artist.
Using the moniker “Dr. Kingsley Chele” or “Dr. KJ Ncube”, the accused targeted women using social media.
Chele misrepresented himself as a doctor or a pharmacist before conning the women out of their money.
The accused allegedly operated by contacting health professionals on Facebook and engaging them, pretending to seek investors while he swindled them out of thousands of rand for projects that did not exist.
“He was arrested by the police on 2 October 2023 on two cases of fraud that were registered in Sunnyside and Klipgat in June 2023,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“His bail was denied when he appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, and he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on 17 October 2023.”
The investigating officer of the case roped in the asset forfeiture unit to assist in attaching the accused’s property that is believed to have been accumulated as proceeds of crime, including a 2023 VW Golf GTI.
“On 11 October 2023, Chele managed to escape from lawful custody when the police were cataloging his household items at his residence, and he has been on the run since,” said Lieutenant Colonel Masondo.
“The police have registered a case of escape from lawful custody at SAPS [SA Police Service] Honeydew.”
Lieutenant Colonel Masondo said anyone with information is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Captain MS Motolla at 082 715 9583 or to contact Crime Stop Number, 08600 10111.
