Margaret Mothibi
A man from Northern Cape, Michael Sebegala, has been handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of swindling a 40-year-old man out of over R360,000 in pension money. The De Aar Regional Court convicted Sebegala of fraud after he promised to invest the money and double it, only to disappear with part of the funds and purchase a car before being arrested.
Sebegala, 34, entered into a plea bargain with the state, which resulted in his conviction and sentencing. The court imposed an eight-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years. In addition to the suspended sentence, Sebegala was ordered to pay R10,000 immediately to the victim and R5,000 each month. He was also required to return a vehicle he bought with the stolen money.
Provincial police spokesperson Molefi Shemane confirmed the outcome of the case, noting that Sebegala’s actions were a clear example of fraud, and that the victim would receive restitution over time. The case highlights the ongoing issue of financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals.