A Harrismith man has been found guilty of fraud and theft, and has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.
Mlodi van Rooi Mpofane (32) appeared before the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where he was convicted and sentenced for fraud and theft.
His conviction originates from an incident that took place during June 2021.
Mpofane approached a car dealership in Harrismith and applied for financing of five vehicles to the value of R3 241 862.
He then submitted all the required documents to the sales department at the dealership. The sales department forwarded these documents to the bank so that the bank could finance the vehicles. The application was approved by the bank and the accused was requested to bring an identity document and driver’s licence for the collection of vehicles.
Mpofane collected all the vehicles after submitting all the required documents. During the verification of Mpofane’s documents by the finance department, it was discovered that the bank statements and proof of income were fraudulent.
The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bethlehem, for further investigation.
Mpofane was arrested on 3 August 2022, and all five vehicles were recovered by the bank.
His sentence has been conditionally suspended, provided he is not convicted of the same offence during the five-year period of suspension.
He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
