The Kimberley Regional Court has handed down a significant sentence to Davida De Wet (62) for her involvement in a fraudulent scheme.
De Wet has been sentenced to 5 years of direct imprisonment under Section 276 (1) (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. Additionally, she has received a 10-year suspended sentence on 205 counts of forgery and uttering.
De Wet was charged with 18 counts of fraud related to the creation of fraudulent invoices on behalf of Wildlife Trading CC.
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These invoices were used to claim undue Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The total amount of actual prejudice suffered by SARS due to these fraudulent submissions is R682,932.76.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Advocate Tebogo Moheta and Advocate Martin Molokwane, presented various exhibits, including audit reports, to strengthen the state’s case against De Wet.
The prosecution highlighted the seriousness of the offences and the impact they had on the public purse. By stealing from the fiscus, De Wet not only harmed the government but also directly affected the lives of citizens who would have benefited from those funds.
The court agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and found De Wet guilty on all charges. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) commends the prosecution team for their efforts in securing a conviction in this complex case.
The NPA hopes that this sentence will serve as a deterrent to other individuals involved in corruption and fraud, sending a clear message that law enforcement agencies are committed to fighting crime.
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The sentencing of Davida De Wet highlights the commitment of the justice system to hold those responsible for financial crimes accountable.
It also serves as a reminder that fraudulent activities have far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the government but also the general public.
