A LIMPOPO pastor who doubles as a senior soccer official is being sought in connection with several cases of fraud.

The Modimolle police said yesterday they were looking for John Mathalela Mthunzini, whom they believe could help them solve about 17 cases of fraud.

The alleged cases of fraud were committed in Bela-Bela, Mokopane and Modimolle since last year.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Malesela Ledwaba said Mthunzini disappeared two months ago when he heard that the police were looking for him.

Mthunzini is at present secretary of the South African Football Association in the Waterberg region.

He allegedly defrauded the association of more than R50000 between October last year and April this year.

"We have launched a search for Mthunzini with a view to geting him to assist us in resolving several cases of fraud relating to funds belonging to Safa," Ledwaba said.

Mthunzini is a pastor of the Total Surrender Church.

He is also a former member of the community policing forum representing Bela-Bela.

A source close to Sowetan claimed yesterday that Mthunzini used the association's cheques to withdraw money by using the forged signatures of other officials.

"Mthunzini, as secretary of Safa in the region, was not the only signatory to the association's funds," Ledwaba said.

"He would forge signatures of other signatories in order to make withdrawals."

Mthunzini used the money for his own benefit."

Mthunzini is not new to controversy. Last year he was arrested on allegations of sodomy. The case was eventually thrown out of court.

Ledwaba has appealed to anyone with knowledge of the pastor's wherabouts to contact Captain Malasela Mogale on 082-565-8606.