A man and woman have been jailed for a spate of incidents of fraud reported at the Randfontein Police between 2015 and 2016.
According to Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, the Bekkersdal Police spokesperson, Jackobus Kruger, 46, and Anita Potgieter, 47, were sentenced in the Randfontein Regional Court recently.
The duo was arrested on 19 July 2016.
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“The two were found guilty of defrauding unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned money by promising that they would sell them motor vehicles at repo prices.
In other instances, they took vehicles from sellers, promising to sell them on their behalf and later disappearing with the victims’ money.”
Lefakane added that the pair was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103(1) of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
Kruger was found guilty on eight counts of fraud and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, while his accomplice, Potgieter, was found guilty on 10 counts of fraud and sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
Lefakane added that these convictions are a result of hard work, dedication and perseverance by all parties involved, including witnesses.
Brigadier Mashole Jacob Manamela, the Randfontein Police station commander urged the public always to conduct background checks before doing business with anyone. He further commended the cooperation between the investigation officer and the National Prosecuting Authority.
“It is through a healthy working relationship that the case was finalised. These sentences will serve as a deterrent to other potential fraudsters as they show that crime does not pay,” Manamela added.
