BOGUS SERVICE PROVIDER PLEAD GUILTY, SLAPPED WITH A HEFTY SENTENCED

Photo: Maria Louisa Venter

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By: Neo Ntsele

Maria Louisa Venter 44, appeared before the Welkom Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday 30, where she was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of money laundering.

During December 2020, the budget manager at Mantsopa Local Municipality received an electronic mail from a suspect who was pretending to be a service provider called Project Pioneer Construction requesting for an outstanding payment of R225 289.69.

The Budget Manager, knowing that there was indeed an outstanding amount of money to be paid to the service provider, requested permission from the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to make the payment.

Permission was granted and the money transferred to a bank account provided by the bogus service provider.

A few days later, the legitimate service provider approached the municipality and requested the outstanding payment.

The Budget Manager then sent proof of payment to the service provider who realised that it was not their banking details and also queried the e-mail that was sent to the municipality by the bogus service provider.

The municipality confirmed with the bank that they had paid money to the suspect.

The matter was then referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bethlehem for further investigation.

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A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued against the accused on 14 February 2024.

Venter was located and arrested in Pretoria by SAPS Detective Services based in Pretoria North and handed over to the Hawks to make her first appearance on 16 February 2024.

Venter was sentenced to eight years imprisonment which is wholly suspended for five years for one count of money laundering.

Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba commended the investigating officer for diligent investigation that led to the sentencing of Venter.