By Joanie Bergh
A 64-year-old man from Klerksdorp has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after swindling farmers out of millions of rands.
Thinus Becker Theunissen, a former employee of a local butchery, took cattle from farmers in Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Hartbeesfontein and Ventersdorp to auction houses between 2018 and 2019, allegedly to sell them on behalf of the farmers. He pocketed the proceeds instead.
As a result of Theunissen’s fraudulent actions, the farmers suffered a total loss of R3 million.
According to a joint statement by the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, the farmers became suspicious when they did not receive payment for their cattle and contacted the butchery. This was when they discovered that Theunissen had deceived them.
An investigation revealed that he had intentionally stolen the cattle and profited from the transactions.
After several court appearances, Theunissen pleaded guilty to nine charges of theft. On Tuesday, 22 April, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on seven charges, with an additional 10 years for two other charges. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve an effective 10 years.
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