The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, October 11, found that Goodness Tintswalo Mthombeni (34) stole the money between October and November 2013.

According to a statement by the Hawks, after collecting the money, Mthombeni was expected to pay the maintenance money over to the beneficiaries, but she took the money for her personal use and updated the register as if she paid the beneficiaries. An auditor’s report revealed the fraud, and the matter was reported to the Hawks.

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The accused was arrested in April 2014 and released on bail. After numerous court appearances, she was convicted on 22 counts of fraud last week. The matter has been postponed to December 15 for a social worker’s report and sentencing.

The provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Maj Gen Gopz Govender, has welcomed the conviction and applauded the investigation and prosecution teams for their meticulous work. He further issued a stern warning to public officials who are involved in corrupt and fraudulent activities that no matter how long it takes, the long arm of the law will catch up with them.