On Thursday, 7 September 2023, Aletta Caroline Scrooby (52) was found guilty and sentenced for fraud by the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

According to reports, Scrooby visited Scania in Middelburg in April 2018 with the claim that she was the owner of Phakamisa Logistics, had been awarded a transport contract in one of the mines, and had requested a price for 90 G460 Scania trucks.

 She then sent fraudulent proof of payment to Scania with an amount of R 1 724 885-00.  It was then discovered that the accused used a VAT registration number for the known client of Scania and the money she alleged to have paid in their account was never reflected.

The case was turned over to the Hawks Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime investigation for more investigation. Scrooby was linked to the crime during the investigation.  The investigation was completed, and the case was presented before the Court. The suspect was apprehended and released on bail. 

Scrooby attended court on several occasions and after the investigation was concluded she pleaded guilty and was convicted.

The accused was sentenced as follows:  Six (6) years imprisonment wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that the accused is not convicted of fraud or a competent verdict on the charge of fraud which is committed during the period of suspension.