A motorist who defrauded Santam Insurance by submitting a false claim stating that his vehicle was involved in an accident (MVA) in Port Elizabeth on 19 August 2014 has had his initial suspended sentence of four years converted to direct imprisonment.
At the time of the offence the now convicted fraudster, Roland Williams aged 50 was reportedly going through financial woes. His black BMW had broken down owing to mechanical issues. He then reportedly, intentionally damaged the vehicle and submitted a claim to his insurance purporting to have been involved in a MVA along Addo Rd in Motherwell. The insurance consequently suffered a loss to the tune of R96 000-00 as a result of Williams’ criminal ways.
About two years following the incident an informant approached the insurance company and alerted them of the swindle. The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation ensued resulting in the arrest of Williams on 6 July 2017. He was consequently convicted on 9 March 2018.
The court sentenced Williams in January 2020 to 36 months correctional supervision, a fine or 24 months imprisonment. A further 4 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years. He was further ordered to reimburse Santam R96000-00 before 21 May 2020 which he failed to do.
The Hawks’ arrested him on 16 October 2020 for failure to comply with a court order. This has effectively put paid to his freedom. The court has on Friday, 22 January 2021 activated his suspended sentence of four years jail term to start with immediate effect.
