* Riaan Cronje (45) of Lakeside Benoni was convicted of fraud and theft on May 23.
The accused was introduced to the Kidwell family in October 2011 but later misused the relationship of trust developed between him and the family during their acquaintance, resulting in the commission of various offences by the accused during this relationship.
In October 2011, the accused pretended to be working as manager for Kenya Airlines and duped Brenda Jean Johnston into thinking that he can arrange for her to sell her presentation packs to the staff of Kenya Airlines and she would need to purchase a trading licence for R750.
Cronje took the money for himself.
In 2012, he again deceived Brenda Jean Johnston and Vivian Kidwell, saying that there is a market for the export of potato snacks to Mauritius and that it would be a lucrative business.
He also offered to manage all the finances and the daily running of the business if the two invested in the business. The victims invested R55 347.17 in the business, which never took off.
During the period of February 15 and 28, 2013, he lied to Vivian Kidwell that all his bank accounts had been frozen and that he had been barred from utilising the funds in it due to Home Affairs declaring him dead.
He persuaded Kidwell to loan him R1 312 173.97 to cover his life expenses and that the money would be repaid as soon as his predicament with Home Affairs had been sorted out.
On December 6, 2012, the accused stole four car tyres worth R3 400 belonging to Warren Daniel Naude.
The court found him guilty on three counts of fraud and one of theft.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, five of which have been suspended for five years.
Magistrate Abel Shilubane presided and prosecutor Maria Olivier represented the state.
* Abel Theko Khanyi (26) of Boksburg was convicted of possession of stolen property on May 19.
This is after he was arrested for possession of stolen property, which included three cellphones.
The police also found R35 175 cash on him.
He pleaded guilty on May 18, and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Magistrate Suren Harichand presided and prosecutor Nkosazana Tyeku represented the state.
* Goitsemodimo Masaneng (23) of Angelo was convicted of housebreaking with intention to steal and theft on May 26.
The accused broke into the property of Casparius de Jager of Freeway Park on July 29, 2010 and stole electrical equipment, perfumes and a money box.
He pleaded not guilty on October 23 last year but was found guilty on February 26.
He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
Magistrate Abel Shilubane presided and prosecutor Maria Olivier represented the state.
* Gaule Monde of Angelo (24) was convicted of theft out of motor vehicle on May 23.
The accused broke into Johan Vermaak’s Amarok while parked at the East Rand Mall in December and stole a laptop, a tablet and a hard drive.
He was sentenced to three years in prison.
Magistrate Ryan van Harte presided and prosecutor Tashnee Ramchuran represented the state.
