A local pastor from Ritchie’s Maranatha Pentecostal Church, who entered into an agreement with the state to cooperate in the investigation against an alleged criminal syndicate operating in the Northern Cape, will spend the next five years behind bars.
He admitted to have been involved in defrauding two victims and was yesterday sentenced in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court to eight years, three of which has been suspended for five years.
Approximately R50 000 was reportedly defrauded
The 50 year old preacher, Jonas Riet, along with the nine others, were arrested last year, having been implicated in extorting payment from victims by posing as law enforcement officials.
Eight other alleged syndicate members remain in custody as their bail application continues while charges against another co accused, were dropped last year.
Before handing down the ruling, the Magistrate said that he was satisfied that the sentence was befitting, considering that the accused had operated with the investigation and had allegedly spend five months in custody.
The investigation continues.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
