Lizette Marielle Steyn, 56, has been given a jail term of at least 12 years for stealing. She was found guilty of 85 counts of theft. She used to work as the Finance and Administration Manager at AgriCAD. The court in Pretoria decided her punishment.
The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said Steyn got arrested last July. She had a job at AgriCAD where she was responsible for handling money matters and keeping records. She had access to the company’s bank accounts.
Over a period from October 27, 2020, to May 9, 2023, Steyn diverted more than R16 million of company funds into her personal bank accounts. She spent the money on fancy things like solar panels for her house, a caravan, and a car for her son-in-law. She even paid for her daughter’s wedding and family vacations.
Mahanjana said Steyn admitted to stealing the money to pay off debts because her husband lost his job. She asked the court to be lenient because of her poor health and because she had never done anything like this before.
But the prosecutor, advocate Rachelle van der Walt, argued that even though Steyn was a first-time offender, she stole over three years while being trusted by her employer. She used the stolen money for a lavish lifestyle, opening multiple accounts to hide her tracks. The prosecutor asked the court to give Steyn a long prison sentence.
The magistrate, Ignatius du Preez, said Steyn only admitted to her crimes because she got caught, not because she genuinely felt bad. He said Steyn was old enough to know right from wrong but chose to do wrong. He also mentioned that having health issues doesn’t excuse committing crimes.
In the end, Steyn was sentenced to at least 12 years behind bars.
