Typing mistake gives worker half a million

SOUTH AFRICA – A Free State worker has refused to return over R500,000 accidentally paid into his bank account, according to a media report. In the meantime Mothupi transferred R400,000 to his wife Phemelo’s Capitec account. She had already placed R260,000 in an investment account. File photo
Image by: Business Times

In the meantime Mothupi transferred R400,000 to his wife Phemelo’s Capitec account. She had already placed R260,000 in an investment account. File photo
Image by: Business Times

In a court application to get the money back, Michael Mochudi, managing director of Motsi Civils and Plant Hire in Welkom, said he meant to pay R5687,61 into Kathu worker Phemelo Mothupi’s Capitec account, but left a comma off by mistake, the Beeld reported.

He called Mothupi as soon as he realised what he had done, but Mothupi said he was not going to return it.


Mochudi’s bank FNB asked him to fill in forms saying it would take five days to be reversed.

In the meantime Mothupi transferred R400,000 to his wife Phemelo’s Capitec account. She had already placed R260,000 in an investment account.

It took an urgent court application to have these two accounts frozen.

The court will decided on March 5 whether the two should not have to pay it back. Sapa