FREE STATE – Four members of the Smit family appeared in the Hoopstad Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of fraud, theft and money laundering linked to a petrol station where they worked.

Pieter Smit (63), Elizabeth Smit (62), Marnu Smit (32) and Estean Smit (32) were arrested on 31 August and appeared in court the same day, according to Hawks spokesperson Fakiswa Matoti.

The magistrate granted each accused R5 000 bail. They are due to appear in the specialised commercial court in Bloemfontein on 16 September.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the Smits and their business entity are suspected of defrauding more than R900 000 from the R700 Truck Stop in Hoopstad.

The complainant bought the business in September 2021 for R1,7 million and appointed Pieter Smit and his sons to manage and operate it.

Suspicions arose when the business failed to show expected profits. An investigation revealed that more than R900 000 was fraudulently transferred from the business through various bank accounts, including one belonging to Agricultural Services Diesel (Pty) Ltd, a company where one of the sons serves as director.

The matter was reported to the Hawks, who obtained and executed arrest warrants on 31 August 2026.

According to a statement from Lotter & Associates in Hoopstad, the firm has been investigating alleged irregularities at the R700 Truck Stop and other businesses in the town for the past three years. The investigation includes examining the roles various stakeholders allegedly played in diesel purchases, financial management and alleged reckless trading.

The case has been transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bloemfontein for further prosecution.