On Tuesday, 27 June, 54-year-old Lynette Magdalena Joubert was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment at the Lichtenburg Regional Court for 64 counts of fraud and theft.

According to NW Hawks spokesperson, Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, between April and October 2015 the accused was acting as an independent proxy for the registration of licence disks on behalf of individuals and companies. ‘She would collect payments from her clients; however create fake proof of payments which she would then submit at the Ditsobotla traffic department as legitimate,’ said Rikhotso.

Rikhotso says this matter was fully investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and she was arrested on 30 August 2016. ‘The amount of money involved was approximately R600 000,’ she said.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Maj-Genl Linda Mbana welcomed the conviction and applauded the investigation team for their sterling work.