LIMPOPO – The Giyani Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced ET Funeral Scheme CC and its owner, Tondani Merilyn Netshakhuma (48), for fraud and contravening the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act.

The company was fined R10 000 for fraud and R5 000 for operating without proper registration as a short-term insurer.

Netshakhuma, the owner of the funeral parlour, received a total fine of R60 000 or nine years’ imprisonment.

This includes R50 000 for fraud and R10 000 for contravening the Act.

Netshakhuma admitted to operating a funeral scheme in Ha-Makuya village in Thohoyandou, from 2005 to 2019, without proper registration.

According to Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Limpopo, a complainant Ndidzulafhi Tshikororo was defrauded of R14 875 after being informed that cash payouts were no longer available.

Tshikororo had paid premiums expecting a R5,000 payout that was never delivered.

During sentencing, senior state advocate Martin Molokwane said Netshakhuma had plenty of time to stop her fraudulent activities but continued to exploit the community.

The prosecution argued for severe penalties, and the court agreed, imposing both fines and potential imprisonment.

The NPA welcomed the sentence, with Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, commending the work of Advocate Molokwane and the stakeholders involved, and expressing hope that this conviction would deter others from exploiting vulnerable communities.