SA Police in talks with Botswana Police to extradite Zimbabwean businessman Vecco Lupa as fraud cases mount in South Africa

Alleged fraudster Evans Sivechere, also known as Vecco Lupa, is seen on the right at Diamond Migration’s Midrand office with Zimbabwean socialite Tarisai Chikocho — popularly known as Madam Boss — who previously endorsed the immigration consultancy brand, and Elson Musinavanhu (left).

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng has confirmed that high-flying Zimbabwean socialite, content creator and entrepreneur Evans Sivechere, also known as Vecco Lupa, is wanted on at least three cases of fraud.

The South Africa-based migration consultant was arrested last month by the Botswana Police Service in Gaborone on another set of multiple fraud charges linked to an alleged international jobs scam. Sivechere had landed in Botswana from South Africa when he was apprehended.

Sivechere operated Diamond Migration from both South Africa and Botswana, offering job placements and work-permit processing for countries including Hungary, Serbia, Ireland and several others in Europe. Many complainants say they paid large sums of money, only to later learn the documents they received were fake or that no applications had ever been submitted.

Following the highly publicised arrest in Botswana, several victims in South Africa contacted IOL, speaking out about how they also lost hard-earned money and opened cases with SAPS. The victims allege that members of SAPS seemed reluctant to arrest the accused serial fraudster.

IOL approached SAPS in different provinces with the allegations raised by several victims.

Talks under way to bring Vecco Lupa back to South Africa
In Gauteng, SAPS provincial spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said multiple cases have been opened at Midrand police station.

“Police can confirm that the suspect is linked to three cases of fraud that were opened at Midrand police station. It is alleged that the suspect promised the victims jobs overseas.

“The suspect fled after asking the victims to pay a certain fee for administration and visa applications,” Masondo told IOL.

Regarding SAPS’ next move, given that Sivechere is detained in Botswana, Masondo said the Gaborone authorities have been alerted.

“The South African Police Service has made the police in Botswana aware that the suspect they arrested is also wanted in South Africa,” said Masondo.

He added: “Talks are ongoing to get the suspect back in South Africa to stand trial for cases reported in Midrand.”

Influencers accused of giving legitimacy to the alleged scam
In South Africa, the seething victims have also accused Zimbabwean socialites including Madam Boss, Kiki and Tytie, the Nyathi family, Mama Vee, Motswana musician Vee Mampeezy, and South African socialite Sphalaphala Saga Marothi of colluding with Sivechere in the complex international scam.

The social media influencers who publicly promoted Diamond Migration to their millions of followers are facing backlash from victims who say the glowing endorsements gave the migration scheme legitimacy and persuaded social media users to trust Sivechere.

Several complainants who spoke to IOL said they were drawn to Diamond Migration after seeing promotions and testimonials from high-profile Zimbabwean influencers, including Tarisai “Madam Boss” Chikocho; socialite couple Better Kudakwashe Madhuyu and his wife Kylie Tonsani, popularly known as Tytie and Kiki; and another socialite couple, Gilbert Nyamanhindi and Joyce Manyara, known on social media as the Nyathi family.

Zimbabwean socialite couple Better Kudakwashe Madhuyu and his wife, Kylie Tonsani, popularly known as Tytie and Kiki in Diamond Migration attire during a promotional video.

Other socialites implicated in the scheme include Zimbabwean comedian and content creator Admire Takudzwa Mushambi, popularly known as Mama Vee; Zimbabwean content creator Bridget Panashe Marufu, also known as Mabrijo; Zimbabwean celebrity couple The Musekaz; Motswana musician Odirile Ishmael Sento, popularly known as Vee Mampeezy; and South African socialite Kwetla Tersia Lesekane, known by her stage name Sphalaphala Saga Marothi.

Many of these personalities publicly associated themselves with Sivechere and Diamond Migration, appeared in his marketing material, or encouraged followers to use his migration services. In some cases, victims told IOL they assumed the influencers had verified the company’s legitimacy — or had successfully used Diamond Migration themselves — before advertising it to the public.

Victims say influencers part of the scam
One complainant, Yvonne, said the endorsements “made it feel safe”, adding that she would never have paid almost R50,000 to Diamond Migration in South Africa without seeing familiar public figures promoting the agency online.

“I religiously follow The Musekaz, Madam Boss, and Mama Vee on Facebook. They were busy advertising Vecco Lupa and Diamond Migration on social media platforms. After seeing these endorsements, I then called Diamond Migration. In my mind, I was thinking these popular bloggers cannot advertise scammers publicly,” Yvonne told IOL.

“I trusted Mama Vee so much, but that trust is now broken. Why would he do that to us? I decided to look for numbers and directly contact these celebrities myself. I also sent them proof of where they were endorsing the company Diamond Migration.”

IOL has seen screenshots where Yvonne confronted the socialites. Madam Boss did not respond to her queries, while other influencers told her to contact Diamond Migration directly.

After Sivechere was arrested by the Botswana Police Service last week, several influencers distanced themselves from Diamond Migration — a move the victims insist is not enough.

In publicly shared posts, Madam Boss said she would implement stricter vetting procedures before associating with any brand or service.

“Again, I deeply apologise and humbly ask for your understanding. I stand with the people affected,” she said.

Other socialites have silently deleted their Diamond Migration promotional content.

Calls for accountability as victims say apologies are not enough
Victims say the collapse of Diamond Migration raises difficult questions about the responsibility of influencers who recommend services without due diligence or transparency about their relationship with the brand. Some victims have appealed for governments in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe to charge social media influencers who promote fraudulent schemes.

“Madam Boss can just write an apology and move on with her life, just like that. I have lost my future in this scam. Tytie and Kiki continue to share pictures of cars, lots of food and lavish lifestyle online, while my children’s future has been ruined. It is an insult to the thousands of people who were scammed. I would not have trusted Diamond Migration without the endorsement of celebrities,” said one victim, Idah.

“What happens if someone promotes a programme where people are raped or killed? There has to be accountability. Issuing a press statement and moving is not the accountability we are looking for as victims. We are hoping that the South African Police Service will demand answers from all these celebrities in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa because the crime happened in South Africa.”

Motswana musician Odirile Ishmael Sento, popularly known as Vee Mampeezy, South African socialite Kwetla Tersia Lesekane known by her stage name Sphalaphala Saga Marothi and Zimbabwean content creator Admire Takudzwa Mushambi, popularly known as Mama Vee were also promoting Diamond Migration.

Botswana’s investigation continues as SA victims struggle with police response
In October, The Herald newspaper in Zimbabwe reported that Madam Boss testified in a separate court case about her involvement with the controversial Ponzi scheme E-Creator, which allegedly defrauded victims of over US$300,000 (more than R5 million).

In her testimony, Madam Boss told the court that she was introduced to the scheme’s leadership by fellow social media personality Mama Vee. She revealed that the accused, Jao Zhao Jiatong and William Chui, sought her services to promote their investment company through Facebook advertisements.

Sivechere flaunted a glamorous lifestyle on social media, frequently appearing alongside well-known personalities — including in a now widely circulated photograph with Madam Boss and her associates at a Diamond Migration office in Midrand.

Victims say these images contributed to the perception that Diamond Migration was reputable and well connected.

As more victims come forward from across South Africa, critics argue that influencer endorsement has become a powerful tool for recruitment — particularly for young Africans seeking opportunities abroad.

Many complainants told IOL they were already vulnerable due to unemployment, limited legal pathways for migration and pressure to support families.

The Botswana Police Service stated that their investigation into Sivechere is ongoing, with additional charges likely to follow. In South Africa, victims report difficulty opening cases, with some alleging they were turned away by local police stations.

IOL is continuing to investigate the extent of Diamond Migration’s influencer-driven marketing and will publish updates as more information becomes available.