Eight years’ jail for fraud

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the eight-year direct imprisonment sentence given to Western Administration Services assistant accountant Landi Theron for fraud involving R2.2 million.

The sentence was meted out by the Bellville Special Commercial Crimes Court this week. NPA spokesman Velekhaya Mgobhozi said that in spite of the sentence not being commonplace, those convicted of fraud do get sentenced to serve jail time.

“Sometimes there is an agreement between the NPA and the accused where there is an option of a repayment plan,” he said.

But through the 26-year-old Theron’s conviction, he hoped to send a strong message that crime did not pay.

Theron worked in the short-term insurance company’s accounting department for two years, where she was responsible for the payment of company expenses and insurance claims.

According to the NPA, she was authorised to use the company’s internet banking platform to effect these payments.

But Theron personally authorised the transactions for payment to herself. Over a period of nine months, she transferred over R2.2 million. Her actions were discovered during an audit last year.

Western Group legal and compliance manager Jan Eksteen said they were deeply disappointed by the fraud committed by Theron.