Pixabay
A Free State farmer has been sentenced to 427 years in prison after he was convicted on 20 counts of theft and six counts of fraud.
The 37-year-old Cornelius Andries Loggenberg farmed in Koppies and part of his farming activities was the maintenance of a herd of dairy cattle for milking purposes.
Whilst expanding his farming activities, he leased 2 136 Holstein cattle, to the value of R25 million from various farmers between 2009 and 2013.
Regional Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority Phaladi Shuping says the condition of the contract specified that the ownership of the cattle would remain vested in the farmers (lessors) and that in the event of death or expropriation of cattle, the accused would substitute the cattle with the cattle of similar stature, breed and age at his expense.
Upon termination of the lease period, the accused was to return cattle of similar type and quality to those hired at the start of the agreements.
At first, Loggenberg honoured the terms of the lease contracts and made the required payments of the lease to the complainants. However, when he stopped making payments it was discovered that he had sold most of the cattle and deposited the money in different bank accounts, all belonging to him.
Arguing in aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor, Advocate Jacques Harrington, stated that the accused skilfully convinced the complainants that their herds were thriving under his care whereas he was utilising their cattle for his benefit.“
He said Loggenberg ran a "get-rich-quick-scheme" where he duped seasoned farmers who ended up being the victims.
He will effectively serve 25 years after the Judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently.
Loggenberg was sentenced in the Free State High Court sitting in Kroonstad on Friday.
