A Harrismith company director, Arthur Wright Baker (59), was sentenced for fraud by the Harrismith Magistrates’ Court on 13 August 2024.
Baker’s lawyer, who was representing him in a civil matter, opened a case of fraud against him in 2007. After being invoiced by the lawyer for services rendered, the accused fraudulently changed the invoice to make it look as if he had settled the debt and sent it back as proof of payment. It later emerged that there were more cases opened against him where he had used the same method to commit fraud. In one incident, he had bought office equipment and, in another, renovated his office. Bethlehem Serious Commercial Crime Investigation detectives arrested him on 28 August 2008 and brought him before court where he was released on R10 000 bail. He appeared in court on numerous occasions; changing lawyers a few times before deciding to conduct his defense.
Baker was sentenced for fraud to a fine of R120 000 or three years imprisonment suspended for five years. He was also ordered to pay the state R50 000 in installments.
Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has commended investigators for their patience and steadfast pursuit of justice. “Despite the delays in concluding this case, investigators kept working hard and following the court’s instructions. It is important that while we want to finalize cases promptly, we are also patient. In the end, justice has prevailed,” she said.
Source : South African Police Service