Father of bogus doctor Kingsley Leeto Chele wanted for defrauding government employees

Thabo Isaac Puseletso Chele, the father of convicted fraudster Kingsley Leeto Chele, is being sought by Gauteng police for his involvement in alleged fraud and corruption cases reported in Lyttelton and Pretoria Central.

The 60-year-old is wanted for targeting female government employees and allegedly swindling them of their life savings, with the crimes taking place in October 2023.

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, appealed for information on Chele’s whereabouts.

“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Masoding Simon Motolla on 082 715 9583 or 071 675 6421 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” Sibeko said.

Meanwhile, Chele’s son, Leeto, who posed as Dr Kingsley Chele or Dr KJ Ncube, was arrested on October 2, 2023, following two fraud cases opened in Sunnyside and Klipgat in June 2023. Leeto, who lived in Ruimsig, Roodepoort, was found with sick notes, medical scrubs, and coats bearing Gauteng Department of Health logos. He had allegedly created a fake Facebook page offering medical advice, pretending to be a doctor or pharmacist.

Police revealed that Leeto stole over R1 million from his victims in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

After his arrest, he appeared in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, where his bail application was denied. Investigating officers, along with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, seized a 2023 VW Golf GTI from his home, believed to have been purchased with the stolen funds. However, while cataloguing household items, Leeto managed to escape custody, though he was re-arrested near Vosloorus a week later.