A shocking case of embezzlement came to a close on Friday as Hildegard Antoinette Steenkamp, a former accountant at Medtronic (Pty) Ltd, was sentenced to an effective 50 years in prison by the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge. The 50-year-old woman had been found guilty of an astonishing 336 charges related to the theft of R537 million ($28 million)over a 13-year period.
Steenkamp’s elaborate plan involved making fraudulent Value Added Tax (VAT) claims from the South African Revenue Service in an attempt to cover up her theft. The court heard that she operated alone, despite her claims that her late husband, Mathys Steenkamp, had forced her into the criminal activities.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Phillip Venter expressed his shock at the magnitude of the theft, stating that it was the highest amount seen by the court in cases involving an individual perpetrator. He emphasized that Steenkamp had meticulously executed a well-thought-out criminal plan, engaging in transactions larger than the average salary of a middle-class person and even exceeding pension amounts received upon retirement.
Venter highlighted a concerning trend in commercial crime courts, noting an increase in criminals with profiles similar to Steenkamp’s—individuals in positions of trust, such as accountants or bookkeepers, who exploit their access to commit financial crimes.
The magistrate explained, “It’s the profile of the most trusted individual, in a position of trust, like an accountant or bookkeeper. They usually never take leave, and someone who never allows anyone access to their system would go to the length of taking their laptops with them while they are on holiday so that they can continue working. They are usually caught in the moment of forced absence from work.”
Steenkamp’s defense argued against a direct imprisonment term, citing poor living conditions and overcrowding in prisons. However, Venter dismissed these arguments, stating, “A considerable long-term imprisonment is the only appropriate sentence. The court can’t be regarding the issue of overcrowding in prisons.”
The imposed sentence was double what the State had requested. During closing arguments, State advocate Tilas Chabalala had proposed a 25-year imprisonment term due to the severity of the crimes committed.
Steenkamp’s fraudulent activities were revealed when forensic investigators discovered that she funded a lavish lifestyle, including gambling, jewelry purchases, and frequent international travel, with the stolen funds. She resigned from Medtronic in 2017 and handed herself over to the authorities in 2018. Steenkamp pleaded guilty earlier this year, and her sentence serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.
It’s a breakthrough for the South African police because fraud is difficult to successfully prosecute especially that they’re not accountants. How did the auditors fail to detect that for 13yrs? Here those that stole the future of Zambians through privatization are stinking rich and carry themselves like they were the most clever and blessed individuals. They even dare us to report them to anywhere since they know that they can never be convicted with our rotten judiciary
The Judiciary is a neutral arbiter between the state and a person who stands accused. The Judiciary is not involved in investigation of crime. It just decides if a case exists against an accused. I’m not aware of any person who has been arrested and brought before court for illicit enrichment during the privatisation of state companies and state assets. You want the Judiciary to convict someone where no case has been brought before it. Anger and envy are eating you up.
LT REALLY ? WE HAVE MORE RELEVANT LOCAL NEWS
UP YOUR GAME
Someone last week was given nine months for stealing K7m, calling it vat refund, from ZRA. How does fraudulently receiving $300,000 from Zambian government warrant simple imprisonment.
Jokers.
That’s real stealing.
We pray hh and his upnd tonga goons are reading this because we will deal with them in 2026 for robbing Zambians. Ati consent judgements . Eeembwa
Faith Musonda syphoned K millions on orders of ECL and Kaiser Zulu the ‘Chola boy’. Case not yet over even if KZ the fugitive is on the run.
You are a rotten sausage. Don’t bring my name in your hallucinations. I am at home in ibex. I don’t run away from cowards like hh
Kodi ise are we going to put away Pamela Gondwe and the other one. Oroso Mrs Lungu
This chi woman was a PF funder
Imposter fuseke!!
50 years! Only?
In SA you serve only 1/5 th of your sentence. So she will be out in 2033 and after not paying for food and clothes, find the stolen money has earned interest. If South Africa ain’t heaven Israel will be happy it has broken relationships! Kikikikikikiki
In SA you serve only 1/5 th of your sentence. So she will be out in 2033 and after not paying for food and clothes for 10 years, find the stolen money has earned interest. If South Africa ain’t heaven, Israel will be happy it has broken relationships! Kikikikikikiki