A Harrismith businessman has been sentenced to a fine of R120 000 or three years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, for fraud.
Arthur Wright Baker (59) was also ordered to pay the state R50 000 in instalments.
Baker was sentenced by the Harrismith Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 13 August.
Baker’s lawyer, who was representing him in a civil matter, opened a case of fraud against him in 2007. After being invoiced by the lawyer for services rendered, the accused fraudulently changed the invoice to make it look as if he had settled the debt and sent it back as proof of payment.
It later emerged that there were more cases opened against him where he had used the same method to commit fraud.
In one incident, he had bought office equipment. In another, he renovated his office.
The Bethlehem Serious Commercial Crime Investigation detectives arrested him on 28 August 2008 and brought him before court, where he was released on R10 000 bail. He appeared in court on numerous occasions; changing lawyers a few times before deciding to conduct his own defence.
Maj. Gen. Mokgadi Bokaba, provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (or Hawks), has commended investigators for their patience and steadfast pursuit of justice.
“Despite the delays in concluding this case, investigators kept working hard and following the court’s instructions. It is important that while we want to finalise cases promptly, we are also patient. In the end, justice has prevailed,” she said.
