FREE STATE – Tshepo Theodore Khumako (31) appeared before the Bethlehem Regional Court yesterday, 29 August 2022 where he was sentenced and convicted as charged for fraud and theft.

His conviction originates from an incident which took place during the period of 2018 where Khumako approached the victims in Harrismith and presented himself as a travelling agent. He then persuaded the victims to deposit money into his own business account so that he can book a cruise for them to Portuguese Island in Mozambique. Twenty seven (27) victims then deposited R260 000-00 into Khumako business account. Khumako did not arrange the trip for the victim as promised.

The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bethlehem for further investigation. Khumako was arrested on 01 February 2019. He appeared in court on several occasion culminating in his recent conviction.

The court sentenced Khumako to five (5) years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that he repays the victim an amount of more than R170 000-00 on a monthly instalment of R5500-00 until the whole amount is fully paid.

Source: South African Police Service