File
A 24-year-old woman convicted of defrauding her employee, Nuwelande Agri PTY (LTD) out of R6.6 million, says she takes full responsibility for her actions.
An-Nei Stumke, a former administrator at the Patensie-based citrus farm took, to the stand to give evidence in mitigation of sentence in the PE Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday.
Emotional scenes unfolded as she told the court how her theft-spree began just three months after being employed at the company.
Her responsibilities included paying creditors and company employees, but instead, she added her FNB bank account number onto the company's system, resulting in numerous unauthorised payments.
An-Nei, who was supported in court by her husband, appeared defeated when she testified to what had happened after she was caught out.
She told the court that she had suffered a miscarriage and was in the hospital at the time when Nuwelande's director, Solomon Ferreira, wanted to meet her and her husband urgently.
The court heard how over three meetings with the Ferreira's including one with the company's bookkeeper, they had come to an agreement to pay off the money.
She said her parents had offered to sell their house which would allow them to pay a deposit of R500 000, after which they would pay monthly instalments to settle the balance of the debt.
State Prosecutor, Clint Jacobs, re-called Solomon who testified earlier this week to verify some of the details of Stumke's testimony.
He said although they initially agreed to accept the repayment, they later decided to open a criminal case when they heard that Stumke had approached her now attorney, Alwyn Griebenow.
The court also heard how most of the money was spent on luxury items and gifts for her friends and family, including rifles for her husband and purchasing a car for herself.
At least R3 million has since been recovered.
When asked what she thought an appropriate sentence would be, she said she would be able to pay off the money in monthly instalments of R15 000.
The case was postponed to 1 April when the defence is expected to call another witness.
Her bail was extended.
