Former Oudtshoorn mayor, Gordon April has been sentenced to 9 years imprisonment by the Oudtshoorn Regional Court for various crimes including theft of sand and stones.
April’s accomplice Raymond Wagenaar was sentenced to one year or a fine of R1,000 for his part in the crime.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha on Friday said the pair – both aged 52 – has were sentenced on Wednesday. They were found guilty on charges ranging from theft to intimidation in February 2017.
Ramovha said both men were arrested during December 2011 after charges relating to theft of sand and stones meant for revamping the road infrastructure in Oudtshoorn area were laid against them.
“It was the state’s case that April acting in cahoots with Wagenaar, a departmental head of the municipality at the time, wilfully and unlawfully ordered employees to transport building material privately bought by the mayor to his residence using municipality vehicles,” said Ramovha.
He added that the accused also stole sand and stone from the municipality stock to build an on ramp leading into the mayor’s residence.
When they heard the Hawks were investigating the crimes, April tried to intimidate witnesses and even went as far as telling them what to say or omit in their affidavits.
“April was found guilty as charged on all seven charges two for theft, three for using of a vehicle without owner’s consent, one for intimidation and one for an attempt to defeat the ends of justice,” said Ramovha.
“This is nine years in total, but he is to serve an effective five years prison term without an option of a fine. Wagenaar was slapped with one year prison term suspended for five years with an option of R1,000 fine.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
