FREE STATE: The accused Sabata Israel Papane (60) appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates' Court on Monday, 03 July 2023 where he was sentenced to twenty three (23) years direct imprisonment for fraud, contravention of Section 26 of the Estate Agency Affairs Act and contravention of Section 4 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, money laundering.
His conviction originates from an incident which took place on 19 June 2014 when the victim saw an advertisement of a house in a local newspaper which needed a buyer. The victim then contacted the number on the advertisement which was that of Papane. She then met with Papane who acted as an estate agent and accepted an offer to purchase the house and also signed the contract with the victim. The victim paid an amount of R100 000 to Papane for the purchase of the house. When the victim wanted to occupy the house, she discovered that Papane was not the lawful owner of the house nor designated as an estate agent. The victim requested a refund of her payment which Papane failed to pay.
The matter was then reported to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigation which culminated in summons being served on Papane on 10 August 2021. He appeared in court on several occasions until his sentencing.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation ( Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has applauded the investigating team for ensuring this hefty sentence especially in ensuring that money laundering charges are pursued.