By Celani Sikhakhane
Martinus Lourence Klemp, in a shocking act of betrayal, devised a plan to steal from his employer and involved his own family in his criminal activities.
Klemp, from Vryheid, in northern KZN, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Richards Bay Commercial Crime Court on Monday for the R13-million theft.
Klemp’s and his family’s arrest came after a police investigation led by Sergeant Smanga Ngema.
The investigation revealed that while working as a business manager at Ignite Charcoal, Klemp planned to steal from the company by having his family open bank accounts to deposit the money.
The money was stolen from Ignite Charcoal, based in Lüneburg between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg, over a period of nearly three years.
Klemp convinced his family members to open bank accounts into which he deposited company funds.
The implicated family members include his wife, father, mother and sister
According to court records, they used the money for personal assets, purchasing a plot of land, four vehicles and a tuckshop.
The investigation involved both the SAPS and a private investigator, leading to the arrest of all the suspects and the transfer of the case to the Richards Bay Commercial Crime Court. Klemp pleaded guilty to all 117 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Klemp’s parents, sister and wife are currently out on bail and are scheduled to face trial at the Vryheid Regional Court.
Pictured above: Fraudster Martinus Lourence Klemp, who stole R13-million from his employer.
Source: Supplied
