Heavy jail terms for convicted fraudsters
Two fraudsters who defrauded a Harrismith businessman out of R6.5 million have been sentenced to an effective eight years imprisonment after they were convicted of five counts of Contravention of Section 86 (1) of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, five counts of fraud and 13 counts of money laundering by Harrismith Regional Court.
Magistrate Mahindra Dhaya sentenced Debora Molapisala (33) to 12 months for each count of the five counts of Contravention of Electronic Communications and Transactional Act. Her co-accused, David Kavuma (36) was sentenced to six months for each of the 13 counts of money laundering he was found guilty of.
Molapisala and Kavuma were both convicted of five counts of fraud and for the purposes of sentencing the counts were taken together and each accused was sentenced to eight years imprisonment. The magistrate ordered the sentences for Contravention of Electronic Communications and Transactional Act and money laundering to run concurrently with the sentence for fraud.
They will effectively spend eight years in prison. Molapisala was employed by Standard Bank in Harrismith as a supervisor and her duties included, amongst others, capturing, verification and authorization of payments and withdrawals as well as transfer of money held by the bank on behalf of its clients. She authorized cash withdrawals from Mr HF Delport’s account without the consent of the account holder.
Between 14 November 2014 and 25 November 2014, electronic transfers and withdrawals were effected to the total value of R6.5 million from Delport’s account. The money was transferred to the account of Engo and Sons Trading and Kavuma was the only signatory. Once the money was transferred by Molapisala, Kavuma would transfer it to different accounts. It later transpired that the transfers were not authorised by Delport and Molapisala and Kavuma conspired to defraud him.
The bank could only manage to freeze R1.6 million which was still in the accounts of the accused. State prosecutor, Advocate Justice Bakamela from the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit prayed for a harsher sentence. The NPA welcomes the sentences with the hope that it will serve as a deterrent to would-be fraudsters who prey on vulnerable people.
Enquiries:
Phaladi Shuping
Regional Spokesperson: DPP Free State
E-mail: pshuping@npa.gov.za
Cell: 083 699 5900
