By Thys Khiba – Kroonstad Commercial Crime Court has ordered the accused Karina Niewoudt (40) to pay back her former employer the amount of R1.7 million on a monthly instalment of R15900 until the whole amount is fully paid.
This comes after Nieuwoudt appeared before the Kroonstad Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 12 October where she pleaded guilty for fraud and uttering.
“The court sentenced Nieuwoudt to seven years imprisonment on the charges of fraud and three years imprisonment on the charges of uttering. Both the charges were suspended for five years on condition that she repays back the amount of R1.7 million back to the victim on a monthly instalment of R15900 until the whole amount is fully paid,” said Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo.
The victim appointed an auditor to investigate the financial statements on his business.
Singo confirmed a preliminary investigation discovered that the 40-year-old fraudulently paid an amount of more than R1 million into her own personal bank account from the company’s bank account.
Nieuwoudt was working as a debit and credit clerk at the time of the incident. The incident took place between the period of 2017 and 2019.
Singo confirmed the matter was formally announced to their team based in Bethlehem for further investigation which culminated to her recent conviction. She appeared in court on several occasions.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday 11 October, the Hawks in Limpopo arrested Sarah Kekana (54), who is implicated in a government procurement order scam.
“The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation tracing operation caught up with Kekana at Mogoto village in Limpopo barely three months after the case of fraud was reported at Dunnottar police station,” said Captain Lloyd Ramovha.
Kekana has been charged for fraud and money laundering. The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has postponed the case to 30 November 2022.
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