Fraud accused found guilty

THE SPRINGBOK Regional Court earlier this week found Edward Newman, 60, guilty of several counts of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

The accused was sentenced to a fine of R120 000 or five years imprisonment as well as an additional three years correctional supervision.

The crimes were committed between June 2007 and April 2009 when Newman worked as Head of Roads at the Namakwa District Municipality.

He identified contractors and promised that they would receive tenders for various projects in exchange for money.

The accused accepted gratification from these contractors amounting to approximately R292 000.

Meanwhile, the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court convicted and sentenced Andrew May, 37, on charges of fraud and impersonating a peace officer.

The court found May guilty of 10 counts of impersonating a peace officer and 10 counts of fraud.

The crimes date back to February 2022 when the Hawks arrested May in Prieska after complaints were received of a person pretending to be a local traffic chief, and taking money from the public with promises to issue them with driving licences and vehicle registration documents.

May was sentenced to a fine of R20 000 or two years imprisonment on the impersonating charges and R30 000 or three years imprisonment plus an additional 18 months, suspended for five years, on the fraud charges.

Failure by the accused to pay a combined fine of R50 000, will see him serving an effective five years in prison.