Mthokozisi Johannes Mshayisa (29) was recently found guilty of fraud and perjury and ordered to pay a fine of R500 by the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court.
The court found that in 2016 Mshayisa had falsely reported the theft of a laptop computer to the value of R18 000 and had subsequently lodged a claim at an insurance company.
An amount of R18 000 was paid out to Mshayisa on the grounds of false documentation submitted by him.
Investigations revealed that he had concocted the story and no laptop had been stolen. He was also ordered to repay the R18 000 to the insurance company.
Police spokesman for Ermelo, Capt Carla Prinsloo, said the sentencing should serve as a warning to people wishing to report false claims of theft in order to defraud insurance companies.
“If the claims are found to be false, as in this case, the defrauders will be brought to book and punished for their dishonesty,” she said.
