GAUTENG – Robbie Smith (67) who went by allias Chris Boshoff and his wife Alice Abigail Boschoff (59), are set to appear in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court today for faking the husband death in 1999.

The couple who resided in Benoni area at the time connived and faked Robbie Smith’s death. He reportedly “died” in a motor vehicle accident in Vosloorus. Consequently an insurance claim was registered at Old Mutual insurance leading to a pay out of just over R1.7 million.

The couple quietly left Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal after receiving the windfall. They eventually settled in the Western Cape, Knysna area also known as the Garden Route which is a tourist destination.

Around 2020, Old Mutual was tipped off about the possibility that they were scammed as Smith was apparently very much alive.

Following an internal probe a docket of fraud was registered in October 2020, and assigned to the Hawks ‘Serious Commercial Crime for investigation.

The team tirelessly traced the couple to a hideout in Knysna leading to their arrest on Tuesday, 08 November 2022 on a court order.

Upon searching their place, two unlicensed firearms were recovered. A case of unlawful possession of firearms has now been included.

The couple will be transferred to a Gauteng court to face the initial charge of fraud in the next week.

Source: South African Police Service