Money lender fined R30,000 over 58 credit law violations

A 67-year-old Calvinia money lender has been convicted on 58 counts of contravening the National Credit Act following an investigation that uncovered an alleged unlawful operation involving the withdrawal of social grant payments and bank funds for a fee.

Johannes Fortuin was sentenced in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Calvinia to a fine of R30,000 or six months' imprisonment.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the conviction followed an investigation by Detective Warrant Officer Heinrich Matthys of the Calvinia Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.

The investigation began on 7 March 2023 after Matthys received information that Fortuin was allegedly in unlawful possession of multiple South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards, CPS payment cards and bank cards belonging to other people.

Investigators subsequently uncovered an alleged money withdrawal service through which Fortuin withdrew money on behalf of cardholders in exchange for a fee of approximately 50 cents for every rand withdrawn.

Records of the transactions were allegedly kept in books and on computer equipment at premises in Calvinia that operated as both a shop and a residence.

A search of the premises led to the seizure of several SASSA cards, documents, a laptop, printer, filing cabinet, card machine and other items believed to be linked to the operation.

Fortuin was subsequently arrested as the investigation progressed.

He was ultimately convicted on all 58 counts of contravening the National Credit Act.

Namakwa District Commissioner Brigadier Schalk Andrews commended Matthys for his professionalism, dedication and diligence in securing the conviction.

The SAPS said the case demonstrated the importance of intelligence-driven policing and the gathering and preservation of documentary and electronic evidence.

It also reaffirmed the police's commitment to tackling unlawful financial practices targeting vulnerable members of the public, particularly those dependent on social grants.