The Hawks’ in the Western Cape have secured three sentences on different cases , one is for illegal possession of firearm, ammunition and drugs, second one is theft of trust funds and the third one is of fraud and theft. .
Nabeel Khan (32) was sentenced to five (5) years direct imprisonment on 5 December 2022 and R60 530-00 that was confiscated on the day of his arrest was forfeited to the state.
This comes after his arrest on 12 December 2019 where members of the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) team in Bellville executed a search and seizure operation at his premises in Lansdowne.
Upon searching two (2) firearms, cocaine, LSD and MDMA as well cash to value of R60 530-00 was found.
Meanwhile in a separate matter, Western Cape Attorney Anthony Reynolds was sentenced on 6 December 2022 sentenced by the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and theft of trust funds totaling nearly over R3 million.
It is alleged that Reynolds, while practising as attorney between 2008 and 2010 he received trust funds on behalf of his clients but did not use the funds for the intended purpose.
After receiving the proceeds from the sales of a number of immovable properties. Through extensive investigation it revealed that Reynolds, did not distribute the proceeds to his clients instead he used the funds for personal gain.
Further than that, the legal practise Council (LPC) brought an application for the request of the name of Reynolds to be barred as a practising attorney. The order was granted in 2011.
In another matter, an accountant Maresha Govender (40) and her husband Kubbendan Govender (46) were both sentenced as follows:
Accused no 1: Maresha Govender was convicted on 376 counts of theft and was sentenced to 10 years of which 3 years was suspended for a period of five years, on condition that the accused is not convicted of crimes of fraud and theft during the period of suspension. She will, effectively serve 7 years direct imprisonment.
Accused no 2: Kubbendan Govender was sentenced on two counts of theft for five years imprisonment which was wholly suspended for five years on conditions that the accused is not convicted of crime of theft during the period of suspension. Secondly, the accused was ordered to serve 3 years correctional supervision in terms of section 276(1) (h) Of Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
The Provincial Head of the Western Cape, Major General Mathipa Makgato welcomed all the sentences and commended the teams for their sterling work.
