A former manager of the Northern Cape Cricket Union has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of fraud.
Jean Pierre Van Niekerk, 25, was sentenced by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
On December 21, 2023, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) apprehended Van Niekerk.
Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi stated that between July 2022 and March 2023, Van Niekerk, who worked as a Financial Manager for the Northern Cape Cricket Union, misappropriated employer funds.
“Payments that were due to service providers were deposited to his personal bank account and the entity suffered an actual of R424,071.55.”
He was found guilty on over 80 counts of fraud.
Explaining the sentencing, Mnisi he was sentenced to four years for 40 counts on fraud.
“ From Count 41 to 80, the accused was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment wholly suspended for (5) years on condition that the accused is not found guilty on the same offence during suspension period.”
The Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Stephen Mabuela said the sentence sent out the right message.
“We appreciate the work of the investigation and prosecutorial teams.”
