A 47-year-old Port Elizabeth woman has been sentenced to four years direct imprisonment after stealing more than R400 000 from one of the city's oldest congregations.
Elizabeth van Deventer, a former treasurer at the Dutch Reformed Church (NG) in North End, was sentenced at the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court on Monday.
She previously pleaded guilty to one charge of theft after her crimes were brought to a halt in 2018.
In handing down judgment, Magistrate Lionel Lindoor said her stealing spree of nearly eight years left the church crippled.
He said the impact of it has now further left parishioners, who are mostly pensioners now sceptical to pledge their monthly tithes.
Lindoor, however, added that in considering sentence he took into account the fact that she showed remorse.
Van Deventer's defence said she would not appeal the sentence.
