Gauteng police are searching for 60-year-old Thabo Isaac Puseletso Chele in connection with an identity fraud case involving a bogus doctor named Leeto Chele. Leeto is accused of targeting and defrauding government employees in Pretoria, stealing their life savings and a total of R1.2 million.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko confirmed that fraud and corruption cases were reported at Lyttelton and Pretoria Central police stations, with the incidents occurring in October 2023. “Chele reportedly targeted female government employees and defrauded them of their life savings,” said Sibeko.

Authorities are appealing to the public for information on Chele's whereabouts. Anyone with details can contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Masoding Simon Motolla, at 082 715 9583 or 071 675 6421, or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Leeto has been in custody since October 2023, following the opening of fraud cases in Pretoria. Police revealed he stole R1.26 million from victims in Johannesburg and Pretoria, including R740,000 from five complainants who recently filed cases. The highest amount he allegedly took from a single victim was R330,000.

Residing in Ruimsig, Roodepoort, Leeto had been posing as a doctor and using two South African ID documents, one falsely claiming he was born in 2006. He reportedly began advertising his business of selling sick notes on social media in 2019.

In October 2023, Leeto escaped police custody during a visit to his apartment, where officers were itemizing his assets. This followed the seizure of a VW Golf GTI by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, purchased with the proceeds of his alleged crimes.