East London – The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks have announced the arrest of a man allegedly responsible for defrauding a victim of over R1.27 million in a decade-long “ancestral” scam.
According to a post on the SAPS Twitter account, William Matyuba (39) allegedly convinced a school teacher that her ancestors were instructing her “to resign from work and invest her pension payout, promising miraculous returns.”
The victim transferred large sums of money, which Matyuba allegedly misappropriated before disappearing.
#sapsHAWKS The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) of the #Hawks in East London, NPA, Movement Control and #SAPS at OR Tambo International Airport, has struck a major blow against a decade-old ‘ancestral’ scam that allegedly defrauded a victim of over R1.27 million.… pic.twitter.com/uTPoXDviou
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 14, 2026
“The Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) of the Hawks in East London, NPA, Movement Control and SAPS at OR Tambo International Airport, has struck a major blow against a decade-old ‘ancestral’ scam that allegedly defrauded a victim of over R1.27 million,” the post read.
Matyuba was arrested on 5 February at OR Tambo International Airport while entering South Africa, after years on the run.
He was initially brought before the Kempton Park Court and later appeared in the Zwelitsha Court on 13 February.
His next court appearance, for a bail application, is scheduled for 26 February.
Authorities have emphasised the seriousness of the case and the coordinated effort between multiple law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
