Anele Mqhathu sentenced to 15 years for stealing over R774K

Filling station manager based in Tsolo, near Mthatha, Anele Mqhathu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for theft and money laundering at work.

HOW ANELE MQHATHU STOLE FROM THE EMPLOYER

Luxolo Tyali, NPA Regional Spokesperson, confirmed that the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Court sentenced Anele Mqhathu (30), to 15 years for theft of more than R774 000, from her employer, Tsolo Engen Garage.

“The court sentenced her to a further 15 years, for money laundering but ordered the two sentences to run concurrently.”Tyali

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“During the period between February and November 2021, Mqhathu was employed by the garage as a manager. She took money from the cashiers under false pretences that she was going to bank it, but she gave the money to her friends to deposit into her personal bank account and appropriated it for her personal use,” Tyali explained the offence.

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HOW THE EMPLOYER PICKED UP THE MISSING MONEY

He added that the owner of the filling station picked up irregularities and engaged the services of an accountant.

“When Mqhathu (filling station manager) was confronted about the allegations, she could not provide satisfactory answers and even admitted to the crime on a cellphone recording. However, after her arrest and during trial, she changed her tune and pleaded not guilty,” he further explained.

Senior State Advocate Mthuthuzeli Rangula led evidence of the owner of the business, two cashiers, the accountant and the investigating officers from the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation, Constable Njabulo Nzimande and Captain Xolile Mdolomba. Under cross-examination, Mqhathu also contradicted herself and made some admissions.

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HOW ANELE MQHATHU MOVED AROUND THE CASH

Advocate Rangula argued that by changing the bank accounts of the recipients of the filling station, putting hers and her friends’ bank accounts and subsequently requesting them to withdraw such cash and hand it over to her and /or deposit it into her bank account, Mqhathu’s actions had or were likely to have the effect of concealing or disguising the nature, source, location, disposition or movement of the amounts of the said property or ownership thereof or any interest that anyone may have in respect thereto, enabling her or any person who has committed an offence to avoid prosecution.
“The prosecutor prayed for the court to impose a minimum sentence of 15 years, which is effective when the value of the stolen amount is more than R500 000, and the court agreed,” said Tyali.

THE PLAN TO RECOUP THE MONEY

“The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has made an application for the confiscation of the house that Mqhathu built with the money stolen from the filling station, and as part of restorative justice it will be auctioned, and the money paid back to the owner of the filling station,” he disclosed.

Accepting the sentence, Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, commended all those involved for their roles in ensuring that justice was served.