Fake boat cruise suspect faces 8 charges

By Thokozani Mazibuko

Thandeka Mamba on Wednesday appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate David Khumalo facing eight counts of theft by false pretenses, with the total amount allegedly involved standing at E174 260.

She appeared before Manzini Principal Magistrate David Khumalo.

Mamba, a 33 year old woman from Mbabane under Chief Zembe, is accused of unlawfully and intentionally misrepresenting herself to several complainants over different periods, promising them a Durban cruise in exchange for cash, which the Crown alleges was never intended to take place.

According to the charge sheet presented before court, the offences were allegedly committed between October 2024 and November 2025 in various parts of the Hhohho and Manzini districts.

The accused is said to have targeted individuals from different communities, collecting varying sums of money under similar pretenses.

In count one, Mamba is charged with theft by false pretenses after allegedly misrepresenting to Mapule Zwane of Mpolonjeni that she would arrange a Durban cruise.

It is alleged that between June and November 2025, at or near Mbabane in the Hhohho district, the complainant gave the accused E131 040 in cash. The Crown alleges Mamba knew the representation was false and proceeded to unlawfully obtain and steal the money.

Count two relates to a separate complainant, Sikhulile Ngwenya of Pine Valley. The court heard that between April and November 2025, at or near Manzini, the accused allegedly obtained E7 220 in cash under the same pretense of organizing a Durban cruise, while fully aware that the claim was untrue.

In count three, the accused is charged with unlawfully obtaining E6 500 from Nurse Mvubu of Ngculwini. It is alleged that between October 2024 and March 2025, at or near Ngculwini in the Manzini district, Mamba again misrepresented herself and induced the complainant to part with money for a cruise that never materialized.

Count four alleges that between April and November 2025, at or near Manzini, the accused obtained E6 500 in cash from Dorothy Themba of Mhlume under the same alleged false representation of arranging a Durban cruise.

The fifth count stems from alleged events that took place between January and November 2025 at or near Mahlanya in the Hhohho district. The Crown alleges that Philile Mdlovu of Mahlanya was induced to give Mamba E6 500 in cash on the false belief that it was payment toward a Durban cruise.

In count six, Mamba is accused of obtaining E5 000 from Nomvula Dlamini of Lozitha during October 2025. The offence is alleged to have occurred at or near Lozitha in the Hhohho district, where the accused is said to have again represented that the money would be used for a Durban cruise.

Count seven involves Nolungelo Shongwe of Two Sticks. The court heard that during October 2025, at or near Manzini, the accused allegedly obtained E5 000 in cash under the same false pretenses.

The eighth and final count relates to Nomphumelelo Nhlabatsi of Lobamba. It is alleged that during October 2025 at or near Manzini, the accused obtained E6 500 in cash after promising a Durban cruise that she allegedly knew would not occur.

During her initial appearance, the charges were formally put to the accused, and the matter was explained to her. Court procedures were followed as the prosecution outlined the nature of the alleged offences and the amounts involved in each count.

The case has drawn public interest due to the number of complainants and the similarity of the allegations, with the Crown alleging a pattern of misrepresentation spanning several months and different locations. The total amount involved across all eight counts is E174 260.