Morwesi Theledi, a former convict, utilized her six years in prison to make better decisions in her life.

 

 

 
Morwesi Theledi, the latest addition to SABC2 soapie Muvhango, thinks spent six years in prison for fraud was a gift in disguise.

Theledi was a well-established supervisor at a bank in Southgate Mall at the age of 25, driving her own car and living away from home. Her life, however, took a turn when she was enticed into a bank scamming network, which would result in her spending the next six years of her life in jail serving a decade-long term.

“My ten-year sentence turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me.” When asked about the nice aspects of jail, I laugh since you are locked up for 17 hours. You use that time to reflect. I used that time to empower myself and enroll in programs that helped me positively turn my life into the woman I am today. “I even have titles today; on Muvhango, I am an entrepreneur and an actor,” Theledi explained.

She got a job as a bank teller in 2003 after graduating from Damelin College with a journalism degree. Within five years, she had risen through the ranks to become a supervisor. Her managerial position came with privileges including a solid salary and access to the bank’s richest accounts.

At the time, the mother of one had a connection with one of her customers, who frequently bought her presents, made monthly payments into her accounts, and handed her R6 000 in clothes vouchers as tips.

“I was approached by a potential client.” I had no idea they were a syndicate. In the banking sector, you build connections with consumers because you don’t want them to branch out and bank with other institutions. You believe in your consumers and don’t believe they’ll flip on you the next day and start making demands. “You never anticipate that a tip left by a client will be used against you the next day,” she added.

It was in 2008 when Theledi’s customer asked her to transfer R2.7 million from a blue-chip company’s account to a private account.

She attempted to freeze the account in a hurry by sending R27 million instead. The bank’s forensics were notified, and she was detained and sent to the Mondeor Police Station.

The young mother said she had been intimidated and informed that if she contacted the authorities about the syndicate, her four-year-old boy would be injured.

“They threatened to kill me. I opted to lie because people’s lives were at risk.”

While awaiting trial, Theledi discovered she was pregnant with her second child and elected to remain in prison with her infant until he was two years old. During this time, she was making plans for her life after jail.

“What I liked about prison was that it allowed me to bond with my child.” I also had a strategy in place in case I was found guilty: I’d do things that would help me come out on top. The first thing I did was apply to Unisa. At the same time, I enrolled in a business management degree at the University of Johannesburg, which I completed while incarcerated.”

During the first several months of her confinement, the young mother was despondent. She chose to take an active stance after consulting a psychotherapist and became the face of education and a faith-based group called Pillar to Post.

“As the face of the jail with Pillar to Post, schoolkids would come and we would give them a tour and tell them my story of how I ended up in prison and warn them about the hazards of prison,” she remembered.

At the same time, she developed her acting skills by composing a play that was included at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda in 2016 as part of a project put up by the department of sports, arts, and culture. Her performance in the play earned her the prize for best actress. She was freed from prison the following year and has been working to repair her life ever since.

Life outside of prison has been good to Theledi, who is also the founder and CEO of Ugqozi Solutions, which assists banks and businesses with fraud issues.

She is also a motivational speaker, and she hopes that her new TV role will inspire young women to believe in the potential of second chances.

Muvhango offered me another opportunity. As ex-offenders, we have a difficult time finding work. We are judged. I used to apply for employment and was informed that they were interested in me, but I had a criminal record. It used to depress me until I resolved to quit doing it. I am grateful to everyone who greeted me so warmly at Muvhango.

Theledi’s role, Mantwa, a kidnapper and cousin of James Motsamai (played by Dingaan Mokebe KaKhumalo), made her debut appearance before millions of SABC viewers on Tuesday, an experience she believes she would not have had if she hadn’t gone to prison.