Man sentenced to six years in prison by the Kimberley Regional Court for fraud and vehicle theft.
Image: File
A Kimberley man who posed as a qualified mechanic has been sentenced to six years behind bars after fraudulently selling a client's R70,000 Nissan X-Trail that was entrusted to him for repairs.
The Kimberley Regional Court delivered the verdict, convicting him of motor vehicle theft and fraud.
The incident dates back to November and December 2020, when Hanro Pietersen, 50, visited Riverside Farm near Plooysburg and convinced the victim that he could repair his Nissan X-Trail, valued at R70,000.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said that the complainant paid R15,000 for the repairs, and the accused towed the car to Kimberley.
"The accused took the vehicle papers with him and informed the complainant that he was taking the papers in case the police stopped him along the road," said Shemane.
Instead, he went to the Kimberley Traffic Department, forged the owner's signature, and registered the vehicle in his name. After completing the repairs, he sold the car to a buyer in Roodepan, Kimberley.
When the original owner discovered the vehicle had been sold, he reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation into motor vehicle theft and fraud.
"The police recovered the vehicle and arrested the accused," said Shemane.
On sentencing, the court declared Pietersen unfit to possess a firearm.
District Commissioner of Pixley Ka Seme, Major General Nomana Mtukushe, commended Detective Sergeant Samuel Witbooi of the De Aar Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit for his efforts in securing the conviction.
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