News / National
Zimbabwean woman jailed 6 years for R720K SA auction fraud
06 May 2019 at 22:05hrs | Views
A Johannesburg auctioneer still hasn't received a cent back from the Zimbabwean granny who defrauded him of antique goods and jewellery worth more than R700 000.
Elizabeth Nyathi, 53, the former deputy president of Zimbabwe's Affirmative Action Group (AAG), was sentenced to six years in prison at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday after being found guilty of 10 counts of fraud.
Nyathi duped the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers in Selby by making fake payments to settle items worth R721 579 she purchased from four auctions.
Christiaan Scholtz, the owner of the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers, told The Star that since the trial started last year he hadn't recovered the lost money.
"We have not received any money back and there are always promises, but the magistrate said it's very unlikely that we're getting any back," said Scholtz.
He added that despite the large loss of money, the company overcame the ordeal, with lessons learnt.
"It taught us some lessons about business and not to trust everyone anymore, but the business is strong, so we are blessed," he said.
The antique goods included seven Rolex watches, diamond and gold rings, kitchenware and furniture, which Nyathi had bought between January and April. About 90% of the goods that the auction house sells are from private individuals and, once sold, the auctioneer takes a percentage from the sale.
Magistrate Benita Oswell declared that because Nyathi's passport expired during the course of her trial, she will be deported to Zimbabwe after serving her time. Oswell said Nyathi had a gift to manipulate people without showing any remorse.
Prosecutor Richard Chabalala told The Star that Nyathi was currently wanted by Interpol in Zimbabwe. According to an article published in 2012 by the Daily News in Zimbabwe, Nyathi allegedly stole more than $250 000 worth of maize seeds from a Zimbabwean seed production company.
Scholtz said he was grateful for the work that Chabalala and the Hawks investigator did in the case.
Chabalala said the complainant was at least consoled by the fact that "the people who caused their loss will be spending time behind bars and later be removed from the Republic of South Africa and returned to Zimbabwe."
Chabalala added that victories in cases like these sent a strong message to other criminals.
"Victories of this sort send a loud and clear message to other like-minded people that these types of crime will not go unpunished, and it helps to instil fear in criminals," he said.
Elizabeth Nyathi, 53, the former deputy president of Zimbabwe's Affirmative Action Group (AAG), was sentenced to six years in prison at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday after being found guilty of 10 counts of fraud.
Nyathi duped the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers in Selby by making fake payments to settle items worth R721 579 she purchased from four auctions.
Christiaan Scholtz, the owner of the Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers, told The Star that since the trial started last year he hadn't recovered the lost money.
"We have not received any money back and there are always promises, but the magistrate said it's very unlikely that we're getting any back," said Scholtz.
He added that despite the large loss of money, the company overcame the ordeal, with lessons learnt.
"It taught us some lessons about business and not to trust everyone anymore, but the business is strong, so we are blessed," he said.
Magistrate Benita Oswell declared that because Nyathi's passport expired during the course of her trial, she will be deported to Zimbabwe after serving her time. Oswell said Nyathi had a gift to manipulate people without showing any remorse.
Prosecutor Richard Chabalala told The Star that Nyathi was currently wanted by Interpol in Zimbabwe. According to an article published in 2012 by the Daily News in Zimbabwe, Nyathi allegedly stole more than $250 000 worth of maize seeds from a Zimbabwean seed production company.
Scholtz said he was grateful for the work that Chabalala and the Hawks investigator did in the case.
Chabalala said the complainant was at least consoled by the fact that "the people who caused their loss will be spending time behind bars and later be removed from the Republic of South Africa and returned to Zimbabwe."
Chabalala added that victories in cases like these sent a strong message to other criminals.
"Victories of this sort send a loud and clear message to other like-minded people that these types of crime will not go unpunished, and it helps to instil fear in criminals," he said.
Source - The Star
