The owner of now defunct Bethlehem-based funeral scheme BFT Funeral Services, Tebello Lancelot Mofokeng, is set to stand trial for fraud and money laundering in the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court on 28 August. The case originates from his reported failure to pay benefits to a client and operating an illegal funeral scheme.
Mofokeng is charged with fraud, theft, money laundering, and contravention of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) Act 37. He has been appearing in court since July last year following his arrest by the Free State Hawks team.
Lt Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said probing discovered that Mofokeng’s funeral scheme was operating illegally came after an elderly woman from Bohlokong lodged a complaint with the FSCA, after failure to pay benefits. He said the complaint was referred to the Hawks for investigation, leading to the findings that the funeral scheme was not recognised by any underwriting authority.
Mohobeleli said the accused failed to pay the funeral cover money, despite the premiums of the funeral cover taken being paid religiously between 2017 and 2022. He said only one case has been registered after an appeal was made for victims to come forward with evidence.
According to an advert on Facebook, BFT Funeral Services is 100% black-owned. It advertised various funeral services and policies, costing R45 for ten family members, including members as old as 94 years old.
