A former FNB employee convicted of two counts of fraud and theft was handed six-year sentences for each crime.
The sentences will run concurrently and she was ordered to repay the bank R270,000.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said Stella Stiemie, 54, appeared in the Gqeberha specialised commercial crimes court on Friday, where she was convicted and sentenced.
“In 2011, Stiemie was employed as a bank administrator, and abused her position of trust by unlawfully misappropriating funds from a client who had entrusted her with an amount of R400,000.
“Stiemie acted under the pretext of storing funds in a secure deed box facility at the branch.
“Contrary to banking protocol, no formal documentation was completed, and no keys were issued to the client.”
Mhlakuvana said Stiemie also transferred R420,000 from the client’s bank account into her account.
“A case docket was opened and was handed over to the Hawks for investigation.
“The investigation revealed that no deed box had been issued in the complainant’s name, and the accused later admitted that she unlawfully took the funds for personal benefit.
“The investigation established that the complainant suffered a loss of over R800,000.
“In March 2016, the accused was traced and apprehended in Gqeberha for charges of fraud and theft.”
Stiemie made several court appearances until her sentencing on Friday.
The Herald
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