BY Obakeng Maje

The North West Province Police, Commercial Crime and Asset Forfeiture Unit will on Thursday, 23 August 2012 at 09:00 execute a Restraint Order and attach assets forfeited to the State by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in terms of Section 26 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 122 of 1999. 
 

The Restraint Order followed after allegations of fraud were leveled against the accused Pieter Willem Van Heerden of Christiana who was arrested on 29 May 2012.  The 28 year old operated his business from his residential place where by he sold fertilizer to farmers and other potential buyers.

He convinced and lured them into placing orders for fertilizer with advance payment of cash.

The accused also promised his clients that he would  invest the money in buying and selling fertilizer and other agricultural products of which returns will then go to the buyers in a form of investment returns or dividends.

 His clients have  never  received  money as promised and started to get worried  and confronted him about their returns. When his clients (complainants) became aware of his tricks and wanted to take legal steps against him, he then started issuing and depositing bounced  cheques.

 During his modus operandi, the accused fraudulently solicited  an amount of  Four million, four hundred and thirty four thousands, three hundred and eleven rand (R4 434 311.00.)

“Van Heerden, who was arrested by Commercial Crime Unit in the Province after eight cases of similar modus operandi were registered by his clients, appeared before the Magistrates court on 10 July 2012 and was granted a bail of R20,000.00. He is expected to appear again on 28 August 2012 at the Christiana Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud” Colonel Setlhako said.