MBOMBELA- A woman was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for stealing R251 000 while working as a branch manager at Debonairs Pizza in Riverside Mall.
Thoko Mngomezulu of Matsulu near White River appeared briefly in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on August 31 on a charge of theft.
Mngomezulu was arrested on August 12, 2014 and had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged that she stole the money over a period of time while working for the food outlet.
Magistrate Ms Faith Mohlala imposed a heavy sentence on Mngomezulu. She will also have to repay a total of R229 854 to the Riverside Debonairs Pizza on top of the seven-years sentence.
Mngomezulu had previously appeared on September 11 last year but the magistrate postponed the case to allow further investigation into the matter and for the accused to apply for legal aid.
However, the magistrate indicated that she was lenient on Mngomezulu as she had no previous convictions or pending cases.
Mohlala has also applied Section 300 Act 51/77 of the Criminal Procedure Act on her verdict. The Act makes provision for the court to clear Mngomezulu of repaying the money to the outlet if she can prove that she is not financially able to do so.
