Johnathan Paoli
Hildegard Steenkamp from Boksburg was convicted and sentenced to an effective 50-year prison term for charges of fraud, theft and money laundering, related to her abuse of her position as an accountant.
The Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, sentenced Hildegard Steenkamp on Friday after she was found guilty of 336 charges related to the theft of R537 million from Medtronic (Pty) Ltd, where she worked as an accountant.
Earlier this year, Hildegard Steenkamp pleaded guilty to the 336 charges after being arrested in December 2017.
Steenkamp diverted tax refunds meant for her employer to her or her late husband’s bank accounts.
Steenkamp tried to cover up the theft by making fraudulent VAT claims from the South African Revenue Service, in mitigation she said she had done it because of threats from her abusive late husband who allegedly pressured her to continue stealing.
The embezzlement took
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
