https://www.capetownetc.com/news/businessman-sentenced-to-49-years-for-fraud-and-money-laundering/
A Cape Town businessman will effectively spend the next nine years in jail after being sentenced to 49 years on charges of fraud and money laundering.
In a statement issued by the police yesterday, the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, praised the efforts of the investigating officer attached to the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit after Shaun Norman Currin was convicted and sentenced.
“During June 2015 employees of a company known as ORO Africa noticed irregularities pertaining to payments to suppliers and took the brave step to bring it to the attention of the management,” explained police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi. “The accused was given an opportunity to give a reasonable explanation as to the reason for the irregularities but refused to comment and was then requested to leave the premises.”
Swartbooi said that the financial reports were reviewed and found to be unauthorised.
He added that during consultation, the accused promised but never responded to the allegations levelled against him.
“It became evident that the accused created multiple fraudulent entries into his unlawful loan account on company costs to the amount of R7 855 427,47,” he said.
“The Investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Ramendran Pillay stood his ground in court and faced the firing questions from the defense attorney.”
“He was focused on the magistrate and calmly answered the questions from the defense attorney.”
“He did not allow the instruction from the accused through his legal representative to derail the court procedure. He simply stated the facts to the honourable court.”
The charges will run concurrently, and the accused will be incarcerated for an effective nine years.