By Thys Khiba || Sabata Israel Papane has been sentenced to twenty three (23) years direct imprisonment on Monday, 03 July.

Papane appeared in court on several occasions until his sentencing.

The Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court sentenced Papane for fraud, contravention of Section 26 of the Estate Agency Affairs Act and contravention of Section 4 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, money laundering.

The 60-year-old man acted as an estate agent who is selling aR100 000 house that was advertised in a local newspaper.

The Free State Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo indicated Papane’s conviction originates from an incident which took place on 19 June 2014 when the victim saw an advertisement of a house in a local newspaper which needed a buyer.

HAWKS

“The victim then contacted the number on the advertisement which was that of Papane.

“She then met with Papane who acted as an estate agent and accepted an offer to purchase the house and also signed the contract with the victim.

“The victim paid an amount of R100 000 to Papane for the purchase of the house,” said Singo.

In a turn of events, when the victim wanted to occupy the house, she discovered that Papane was not the lawful owner of the house nor designated as an estate agent.

The victim requested a refund of her payment which Papanefailed to pay.

Singo told Central News that the matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigation which culminated in summons being served on Papane on 10 August 2021.

The Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation ( Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has praised the investigating team for ensuring this hefty sentence especially in ensuring that money laundering charges are pursued.

CENTRAL NEWS

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