A Port Elizabeth woman who was a fugitive from justice for nearly a year has been sentenced to an effective five-years in prison for fraud.
The 37-year-old Rhonda Zeelie, who worked as an accountant, was found guilty in September 2019 of fraud involving R479 942.
She was out on bail of R2 000 pending sentencing in October 2019, when she vanished.
Zeelie was re-arrested by the Hawks in September 2020.
The court heard that Zeelie, who does not have any children, was a first-time offender with a widowed mother who is currently very ill and in a care facility.
Magistrate Lionel Lindoor says although Zeelie was a first time offender, she evaded her trial for a year and therefore showed no remorse.
She was sentenced on Friday to five years for theft and four-years for fraud.
The sentences will run concurrently.
Zeelie's mother will now be transferred to a Government facility.
