On Friday,08 December 2023,the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrates has sentenced Hildegard Antoinette Steenkamp to 50 years in prison for 338 charges of fraud.
Steenkamp was found guilty for defrauding her employer millions of Rands for more than five years and during those years she was living a luxurious lifestyle through the means of crime.
Hawks said:"This follows a meticulous investigation into Steenkamp fraudulent activities against her employer,pharmaceutical company Medtronic amounting to over R500 million since 2017.Following a three-month investigation,the Hawks descended on Steenkamp's house with search-and-seizure warrants and attached the woman's 11 luxury vehicles,motorcycles and seven immovable properties as well as furniture,appliances and jewellery worth of Rands."
She abused her position in the pharmaceutical company where she made suspicious payments which led to her arrest last year.
According to statement,Steenkamp who worked as an accountant at multinational medical equipment supplier Medtronic,based in Midrand,allegedly duplicated payments by transferring money into her late husband's bank account.She made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on December 15,and was granted bail of R250 000.
She appeared in court for several times and in one of those appearances pleaded guilty and was sentenced for all 336 charges.
The charges were divided in seven groups and each group has its own sentence and when those sentences combined equates to 50 years in prison.
"Group 1 -53 counts sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each count(53*15=795) to run concurrently with groups 2 & 3.
"Group 2 & 3 - 140 counts sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each count(140*15=2100) to run concurrently.
"Group 4 - 122 counts sentenced to 20 years each count(122*20=2440) all counts to run concurrently.
"Group 5,6&7 - 20 counts sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each count(20*15=300) all 20 counts to run concurrently," Hawks clarifies.
The court deemed Steenkamp unfit to possess a firearm and is expected to full 50 years in prison.
The splendid work which was done by the police which investigated the case and the team of prosecution was applauded seniors in the police hierarchy.
"The Acting Provincial Head in Gauteng,Brigadier Makgalangake Sekgobela congratulated the investigation and prosecution teams for an excellent job done," the police statement concludes.
Hawks arrested municipal official for corruption
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation(HAWKS) has confirmed an arrest of Edwin Mphikeleli Sibiya who works for Emalahleni Municipality for corruption.
According to statement,Edwin Mphikeleli Sibiya(64),Emalahleni Local Municipality Assistant Finance Manager,appeared before the Witbank Magistrates Court on Thursday,8 December 2023 after he was arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Corruption Investigation on corruption charges.It is alleged that during June 2022,the accused being an employee at Emalahleni Local Municipality,was involved in leaking of a section 106 report that was compiled by a forensic company called AFIS for the maladministration investigation at the municipality.
Sibiya was responsible for bribing an employee of forensic company so that he can access documents that compiled by the service provider during investigation and he got those documents and leaked the information.
"The forensic company individual was paid by a municipal official an amount of R8700.00 to access the report.Information was received by the management regarding the report circulating amongst the employees.A case was opened and refered to the Hawks for further investigation.
"During investigation,it was established that there were payment transactions from the account number of the accused to one of the forensic members.
"Investigation feedback was submitted to court.Warrant of arrest was authorised and executed,hence the court appearance.The accused was released on R5000.00 bail and the case was postponed to 13 December 2023 for the arrest of other accused.Investigation continues,"said police statement.