NHSCFA investigation realises jail term for former credit controller

Mazambani, aged 42 and of no fixed address, was sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on 30 January. He had previously pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position on 3 September last year during a trial held at Southwark Crown Court.

His four co-defendants also received their sentence at Southwark Crown Court on 30 January.

George Magaya, aged 49 (also of no fixed address), was sentenced to three years and two months’ imprisonment. He had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of money laundering during the trial on 3 September last year.

Michelle Tengende, aged 40 of Briar Road in Watford was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs by 31 December this year. She had previously been found guilty of money laundering on 14 October and was employed by the NHS at the time of the offences.

Sinqobile Pasipanodya, aged 43 of Dane Meadows Place, Holmes Chapel in Crewe, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to pay £1,000 in costs by 31 December 2026. Pasipanodya has previously been found guilty of money laundering.

Rosemary Magaya, aged 37, of Cromwell Road in Eccles, Manchester was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. She had previously been found guilty of money laundering on 14 October 2025.

Uncovering the fraud

The fraud was uncovered by staff within the Finance Department at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust after they identified suspicious refund requests relating to monies held on behalf of patients and clients.

Internal investigations revealed the involvement of a trust employee, namely Mazambani, who had access to secure financial databases. Further checks confirmed links between him and the bank accounts that were receiving fraudulent payments.

NHSCFA financial investigators used their powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to trace the stolen funds. The investigation revealed that Mazambani had facilitated fraudulent refund claims and that money had been transferred to accounts linked to the other defendants.

Following his arrest, Mazambani provided a ‘no comment’ interview. Documents relating to trust refunds were recovered from his home address.

The investigation identified over £218,000 in fraudulent refunds paid out, with an additional £84,000 in fraudulent claims prevented, bringing the total fraud value to upwards of £302,000.

Financial analysis revealed the four co-defendants received substantial funds through the fraudulent scheme, which were subsequently transferred back to Mazambani, George Magaya and Rosemary Magaya in most cases.

Protecting public money

Ben Harrison, head of operations at the NHSCFA, said: “This sentencing reflects the seriousness of abusing a trusted position within the NHS for personal gain. Mazambani exploited his access to sensitive financial systems to orchestrate a fraud that targeted funds held on behalf of patients, with others knowingly involved in laundering the proceeds.”

Harrison added: “Thanks to the vigilance of the Trust’s finance team and our investigators’ use of Proceeds of Crime Act-related powers, significant losses were identified and further fraud was prevented. We will continue to work closely with NHS organisations in order to protect public money and hold those responsible to account.”