Kabelo Tlhabanelo
The Bloemfontein High Court has thrown the book at ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s former bodyguard, Ricardo Mettler.
Mettler has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for stealing a painting worth R8 million in March 2018.
Judge Soma Naidoo also sentenced him to a further 15 years for money laundering for offering the painting to a Chinese businessman as a guarantee for a loan.
Another 12 months have been added to the sentence as Mettler made a false statement to the cops, claiming Magashule had given him the painting.
Mettler stole the painting, which belongs to the Free State government, while clearing Magashule’s office.
He removed the barcode and covered the painting with brown paper.
He used the painting as collateral to get a loan from a Chinese businessman.
He was found guilty of fraud by the same court in December and spent the festive season behind bars awaiting sentencing.
Prosecutor advocate Antoinette Ferreira said Mettler was motivated by greed.
“The accused had a motive when he disguised the marking of the painting. He knew it was valuable when he wanted to offer it as a guarantee. He was twice requested to return the painting but he refused,” said Ferreira.
Picture source: @Magashule_ace
