A Limpopo businessman William Johannes Basson (33) has been convicted and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment when he appeared in the Mokopane Regional Court on Wednesday, 3 March 2021.
Basson, a co-director of Bio-Chem Agri company based in Modimolle dealing in agricultural chemicals, received an order for agricultural chemicals supplies worth R632 000.00 from a company in Roedtan in 16 October 2020.
The victim paid for supplies in advance however on the agreed date of delivery, Basson gave several excuses and failed to deliver on the service and later disappeared.
Consequently a case was opened and the matter was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime for further investigation. He was arrested for 32 counts theft on the 7 December 2020 and his bail bid was successfully opposed and he remained in custody until his sentencing.
Basson was found guilty on all 32 counts of theft on the 2 March 2021, subsequently he was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment with no option of a fine on the 3 March 2021.
