A Port Alfred rental agent who conned numerous people out of thousands of rands over a period of nine months was sentenced to three years’ house arrest by the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court.
Sandra Ann Cronje, 53, pleaded guilty in January to a charge of theft.
Between September 2014 and May 2015, Cronje siphoned off nearly half a million rand meant to be paid either to her employer at the time, Happy Sunshine Homes CC trading as Lew Geffen Sothebys International Realty, or property lessors.
During the nine months, Cronje caused 24 people to make rental payments or administration fees to her personal bank accounts rather than that of her employer.
A total of R494,2767.10 was paid into Cronje’s bank accounts.
After being caught, Cronje paid back R187,649.82 of the total amount and misappropriated R306,617.28 for her personal use.
In her plea explanation, read in court by defence lawyer Hennie Bence, Cronje admitted to receiving the money that was meant to be paid into the trust account of her employer.
“Instead of handing over the amounts, I kept these monies and used it illegally,” Cronje said.
Magistrate Hannes Claasen found Cronje guilty on a charge of theft.
On Thursday, Cronje received a five-year jail term suspended for the full five years and three years’ house arrest.
Claassen further ordered that Cronje pay back R285,000 to Happy Sunshine Homes CC.