Everyone in the Regional Court was shocked when the judgement of 25 years imprisonment was read out to Leandri Snyman (36) last week.
On Wednesday, March 22 Snyman stood outside the Regional Court with a family member who carried her tog bag.
Once court was in session, the family member took a seat in the gallery with Snyman’s tog bag and she sat in the dock.
Snyman was found guilty of 23 counts of fraud amounting to just over R5-million.
She explained to Magistrate Merlene Greyvenstein that she has a 12-year-old daughter and that she does not receive any maintenance from her daughter’s father, she is the only person responsible for the care and upkeep of her daughter. Snyman said that she is employed and is working with her mother for a property agency in eMalahleni.
She was then asked if she had any of the R5-million left over, she said: “No.”
Snyman explained that all the money was spent while with a man she used to date. She continued to explain that he was demanding that she continued to steal money.
“The money was spent on staying in the best houses, holidays and going out every weekend,” said Snyman.
And if she did not have money, then her boyfriend at that stage would physically abuse her and swear at her daughter.
Leandri Snyman (36) was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on March, Wednesday 22 after she was found guilty to 23 counts of fraud or alternative theft.
No case of the physically abuse or the verbal abuse was opened at Witbank Police Station because he said he would not do it again.
Mr Koos Harmse, her lawyer asked her about her medical condition? She told the court that she gets attacks like a stroke and that she’s on anti-depressants.
The prosecutor said:
“You were a trusted employee that was employed by Tedoc Industries (Pty) Ltd, yet you stole millions every month.”
In 2008 and 2009, Snyman also stole money from other companies in Delmas and Pretoria.
In June 2010 she was found guilty of fraud in Delmas and was sentenced to five years imprisonment, suspended for five years.
A year later in 2011 Snyman was found guilty in Pretoria for fraud; she was sentenced to three years correctional services, seven years imprisonment which was suspended for five years.
In July 2012 she was employed as a payroll administrator by Tedoc.
Her duties included making payments to various creditors.
Snyman transferred and deposited over R5-million into her personal bank account without authority as the money was not due to her.
Magistrate Greyvenstein continued to explain how serious the crime is that she committed. in that while she was working at Tedoc Industries (Pty) Ltd the money she stole from there she used to pay back for the previous crimes she committed.
“This is a serious crime and you never even made an effort to pay Tedoc back any money,” said Magistrate Greyvenstein
Magistrate Greyvenstein delivered her judgement as Snyman sat in the dock.
On charges one to 20, and 22 she was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, on charges 21 and 23 she was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment each.
The abovementioned sentences will run concurrently for 25 years.
An emotional Snyman was taken down into the cells after kissing her family member goodbye.
“My business suffered many losses. Besides the personal humiliation and putting the company name into disrepute, Tedoc Industries (Pty) Ltd also suffered huge financial losses,” said the managing director of Tedoc Industries (Pty) Ltd.
“I think she could have got a longer sentence, but I am happy with what the magistrate has done and that justice has run its course,” he continued.
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/87754/municipality-loses-r1-6-million-due-fraud/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/87098/30-year-old-facing-charges-fraud/
