Mlodi Van Rooi Mpofane (32) appeared before the Bethlehem Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 10 September 2024, where he was convicted and sentenced for fraud and theft.

His conviction originates from an incident that took place during June 2021. It was reported that 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 the identity document and driver’s license 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 Comme
rcial Crime Investigation team based in Bethlehem for further investigation. Mpofane was arrested on 03 August 2022. All five vehicles were recovered by the bank. The court sentenced Mpofane to ten years’ imprisonment wholly suspended for five years’ on condition that he is not convicted of the same offense during the period of suspension. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Source: South African Police Service