By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
15 June 2026 – A man (36) was sentenced to 36 years imprisonment for multiple charges ranging from motor vehicle theft to contraventions of the Immigration Act. The accused, Michael Chikwani was recently convicted after the court heard evidence detailing how he defrauded individuals through Facebook Marketplace in transactions involving 19 vehicles.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said evidence presented in court, revealed that the accused targeted unsuspecting victims who advertised vehicles for sale on the social media platform in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Free State provinces. Litabe said after successfully arranging to view the vehicles, the accused would provide the sellers with falsified bank payment notifications, creating the impression that payment had been made.
“Believing that the funds had been received, the victims released their vehicles and registration documents to the accused, who would then disappear in the thin air without making any payment. The accused subsequently sold the stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers in the Western Cape.
“A total of 26 cases were registered against the accused across the three provinces. These cases were centralised in Kimberley, where the accused was convicted and sentenced by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for theft of motor vehicles,” he said.
Litabe further said was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for cyber fraud. He added that the accused was sentenced to three years imprisonment for money laundering and one year for contravention of the Identification Act.
“Chikwani was sentenced to two years imprisonment for Contravention of the Immigration Act. The court ordered that all sentences will be served simultaneously. Therefore, he will effectively serve 15 years imprisonment.
“The successful prosecution of the case stemmed from the meticulous investigation conducted by Warrant Officer Anthony Rheeder of the Kimberley Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit, who was assigned to investigate the case,” said Litabe.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard District Police Commissioner, Major General Charlotte Makgari, commended Warrant Officer Rheeder for his dedication and exceptional investigative work, which involved extensive travel, long working hours, and unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice was served.
The Guardian 