Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Former Standard Bank staffer 37-year-old Dorcus Nyambi has been sentenced to four years in prison for theft.
The bank administrator was sentenced on Monday, (13 May 2024), by the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
The court established that when Nyambi was employed at Standard Bank in Tonga in 2014 she activated a dormant bank account of a dead person, and linked it to other accounts of the beneficiaries.
Nyambi then transferred different amounts of money into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
All in all, she stole R 940 000 from Standard Bank.
When the theft came to light the accused was arrested by the Hawks.
Nyambi was convicted of theft, Contravening Section 21 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, and Contravening Section 4 read with Sections 1 & 8 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Act 121 of 1998.
The accused was sentenced as follows:
- Count 1 to 14: Theft. Eight years imprisonment of which half is suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or attempted theft committed during suspension.
- Count 16: Contravening of Section 4 read with Sections 1 & 8 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Act 121 of 1998.(POCA)
- Sentenced to three years imprisonment, which will run concurrently together with the four years imprisonment without an option of a fine.
- The accused will serve four years of direct imprisonment.
Commenting on the sentencing, Acting Provincial Head Brigadier William Mokonyama appreciated the investigating officer for his determination.
He further warned the community that crime does not pay.
“As the Hawks, we shall investigate and arrest perpetrators who threatened the safety of the state and the economy of the country without fear or favour,” said Brigadier Mokonyama.
