Actress Lerato Mvelase
Actress Lerato Mvelase has confirmed that the travel agency she accuses of scamming her is now under investigation by the Hawks.
Mvelase shared the update while appearing as a guest on SABC 1’s talk show Asikhulume, Let’s Talk, where she opened up about the emotional and financial toll of the ordeal.
The actress previously went public on Instagram, accusing a travel company, Black Trotters Africa, of taking her money for a trip with her two sons that was ultimately cancelled.
According to Mvelase, trouble began when she requested a refund, only to be told that the company had allegedly been liquidated.
Frustrated and determined to hold those responsible accountable, she said she escalated the matter to law enforcement.
“My case is currently with the Hawks, and I can only hope that justice is served,” Mvelase said, adding that she wants those involved to know “that they will be caught.”
In a video shared on her Instagram page, the Marked actress revealed that she had initially considered cancelling the trip due to financial pressure but claimed the agency pushed her to proceed.
“At some point, I wanted to cancel the trip because of financial constraints, also because of the pressure they kept putting on me,” she said.
An emotional Mvelase made it clear that the situation hit harder because her children were involved.
“Story time. Why? Because they messed with my kids!” she exclaimed, before naming individuals she alleges were linked to the company.
She accused one former ticket issuer of supplying fake tickets to travellers and described the operation as a syndicate driven by lifestyle ambitions.
One of the individuals mentioned, Tumelo Tshepang Matenche, has since issued a statement distancing himself from the alleged scam.
He said he was employed as Head of Sales at Black Trotters Africa and claimed he was unaware of the situation until it became public.
“Like many others, I became aware of the situation at the same time as the rest of the public,” he wrote.
“Neither the other employees nor I were given prior knowledge or insight into the events that later unfolded. We were equally in the dark.”
Mvelase remains adamant that she will see the matter through, saying her goal is not only to recover her losses but to ensure accountability.