The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks)'s Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit has arrested a former accounting clerk, 55-year-old Hester Maria Els, for allegedly defrauding her former employer of over R896,000.
Els was arrested in Musina on Wednesday, 19 February, and made her first court appearance in the Musina Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 20 February, where she was granted bail of R10,000. Her case was postponed to 10 March for further police investigations.
"It is alleged that between April 2018 and November 2019, the suspect was employed as an accounting clerk responsible for receiving purchase orders and invoices and loading creditors for payments. She allegedly created a fictitious company, made misrepresentations by using the company's logo, and provided her personal bank account details to clients to make payments into her account. An internal audit was conducted, revealing discrepancies in the invoices and the company's bank records. During the audit, it was established that the company suffered a loss of more than R896,000," said Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa.
A case of fraud was opened and registered at Musina police station before being transferred to the Polokwane-based Hawks SCCI for further investigation. "The investigation was thoroughly conducted. After revealing concrete evidence, the SCCI referred the case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision. Subsequently, a warrant of arrest was authorised against the suspect. She was traced and arrested," said Mmuroa.
Staying in Musina, the Musina Regional Court on Wednesday, 19 February, sentenced 28-year-old Fanie Ndou, a Zimbabwean national from Swereki Village to 17 years of direct imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and contravening the Immigration Act.
"The accused pleaded guilty, admitting that on 23 October 2023, he was caught carrying a bag containing copper cables linked to the MTN tower in the Musina area, leading to his arrest. During sentencing, State Prosecutor Jan Krijt emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of infrastructure-related crimes. He noted that Ndou is a repeat offender familiar with South African law. Krijt further highlighted the ongoing destruction of critical infrastructure, which criminals strip for resale to the scrap metal industry, significantly impacting the country. After considering all factors, the presiding officer ruled that a 17-year direct imprisonment sentence was appropriate," said Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesperson for the NPA in Limpopo, following Ndou's sentencing.
Ndou received 15 years for tampering with, damaging, or destroying essential infrastructure and an additional two years for illegal immigration. The NPA welcomed the sentence, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Ivy Thenga, expressing the hope that this ruling will serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar crimes. She also commended Prosecutor Krijt and all stakeholders involved in securing this conviction.
Meanwhile, closer to home, Limpopo police on Thursday, 20 February, arrested a suspected drug dealer in Louis Trichardt. The 40-year-old male suspect, originally from Tanzania, was arrested in Rissik Street at around 08:00. Crystal meth with an estimated street value of R18,000 was found in his possession, and he was immediately placed under arrest. He is expected to appear before the Louis Trichardt Magistrates' Court soon.