NORTHERN CAPE – Arnold Rooifontein (35) and Elwin Enrico Julies (41) pleaded guilty and were sentenced by the Kimberley Regional Court on Monday, 13 February 2023 for fraud and money laundering.
A satellite office of AutoZone managed by an employee of the company was accommodated on the premises of the Kimberley SAPS Garage. All vehicle body parts orders as requested by the SAPS were captured on site.
During November 2012 and December 2013, vehicle parts were procured as buy-outs from Eagle Motor Spares by the Kimberley AutoZone employee. Parts were delivered by Eagle Motor Spares to the SAPS Garage for which AutoZone paid.
During the end of 2013, AutoZone queried the SAPS for non-payment of vehicle body parts which were ordered and delivered. An internal investigation by AutoZone revealed that an amount of approximately R1.3 million was still outstanding on the goods delivered to the SAPS.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team was roped in to investigate and it was found that the employee from AutoZone and the owner of Eagle Motor Spares colluded to defraud AutoZone.
The Hawks seized two vehicles from the suspects in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act which were later sold at an auction for R135 592. The money was deposited into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) fund. The accused made a series of court appearances until their sentence.
Rooifontein was sentenced to a fine of R100 000 or five (05) years imprisonment for fraud and an additional sentence to five (05) years imprisonment wholly suspended for five (05) years on condition that the accused must not be found guilty of fraud during the suspension period.
Julies was sentenced to a fine of R100 000 or five (05) years imprisonment for fraud and money laundering. He received an additional sentence of five (05) years imprisonment wholly suspended for five (05) years on condition that the accused must not be found guilty of fraud or money laundering during the suspension period.
Both accused were further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Source: South African Police Service