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The Middelburg Magistrate’s Court has convicted and sentenced Jacob Aphane (36) for vehicle finance fraud involving an amount of R496,211.19.
The charges stem from an incident on 7 October 2022, when Aphane applied for vehicle financing at Yagos 4 Wheel Cars in Middelburg using fraudulent documents, including a falsified payslip and bank statement. He falsely claimed to be employed at GT Auto Company in Marblehall. Based on these documents, Wesbank approved the vehicle finance application, and Aphane subsequently took possession of a Suzuki Ertiga valued at R496,211.19.
However, Aphane failed to make any payments for over three months. When the bank attempted to locate him, he could not be found. The matter was then referred to the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit for further investigation. It was soon discovered that GT Auto Company does not exist.
Following a thorough investigation, the Hawks managed to recover the vehicle, and Aphane was summoned to court. He was arrested, charged, and later released on a warning. Aphane appeared in court several times before being found guilty.
On 23 September 2024, he was sentenced to eight years in prison, with three years suspended for five years on the condition that he is not convicted of a similar offense during the suspension period.