Johannesburg - A former accountant at the Motheo Further Education and Training College was jailed for eight years by the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Friday for stealing R1.3 million, the NPA said.
Free State National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Phaladi Shuping said magistrate Dawn Somaroo sentenced Jacques Wilhem Grobler, 37, on 60 counts of fraud and theft.
“Grobler transferred money that was supposed to be paid over to the college’s service providers into his accounts,” she said.
“The discrepancies resulted in the college not being able to buy books for learners, and employees not being paid their salaries. The college had to resort to using the reserves in order to cure the defects.”
Shuping said Grobler testified that he had wanted to maintain a lifestyle that was beyond his means.
“The accused stated in court that he resorted to stealing from his employer as he did not want to fail his wife, who is from a rich background,” he said.
“Grobler had made a promise during his trial to pay back the money, but he however failed to present a plan on how he was going to pay back the money.”
Sapa