A FORMER Kloof and Highway SPCA employee who was convicted of fraud was ordered to repay a sum of R50 000 immediately, with the balance to be paid in monthly instalments.

The SPCA opened a case in February 2024. It was later confirmed that an amount of R86 671.90, had been stolen by Cynthia Wannenburg from May 28 2022.

Wannenburg pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud in Pinetown Magistrate’s Court last month.

She was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for a period of five years on the condition that she is not convicted of fraud in that period.

“As a charity who prides ourselves with a policy of zero tolerance for dishonesty or anything that negatively affects our reputation and animals, the Kloof and Highway SPCA immediately suspended Cynthia pending an investigation into alleged fraud.

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“It was found that the cash figures on daily cash-ups from one of our SPCA Thrift Shops had been altered by Cynthia, after the daily cash-up had been checked and confirmed by two staff members,” said Kloof and Highway SPCA manager Barbara Patrick.

The charges against Wannenburg were gross dishonesty, in that during November and December 2023 she had fraudulently amended the daily cash-up records with the intention of withholding company funds.

“She pleaded guilty to all charges against her and was dismissed immediately. Following her dismissal, the investigation continued to try and establish how much money had been stolen. We were appalled and devastated to find that money had been stolen from a few SPCA charity and thrift shops, and a criminal case of fraud was opened at Kloof Police Station.”

Despite more than 12 court appearances, the Kloof and Highway SPCA did not give up fighting the case.

“We kept fighting for justice and would not give up. In early 2025, Cynthia’s legal aid presented an agreement to the court, that Cynthia wanted to admit that she was guilty of fraud, and undertook to repay the full amount owed to the Kloof and Highway SPCA.

Also read: Woman jailed for fraud amounting to R16m

“On March 28 the Magistrate asked Cynthia to plead, and she pleaded guilty and was convicted of fraud under S105A of Act S1/1977,” said Patrick.

In addition, Advocate Makunga presented a draft confiscation order from The National Director of Public Prosecutions against Wannenburg and the order was granted in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act of 1998.

The Kloof and Highway SPCA extended its gratitude to the prosecutor who presented the State’s case, the Senior Public Prosecutor and members of the Asset Forfeiture Unit for their guidance and presentation of the case.

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